4 Stages Expectant & New Parents Can Experience
To mark Perinatal Mental Health week from 7th to 13th November 2021, Amity Health Mental Health Clinician Sabrina David has penned our latest article to raise awareness of the challenges that some expectant mums and parents can face during the various perinatal stages.
Working as a mental health clinician with expectant and new parents, I often have conversations about changes in mental and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond (also referred to as the perinatal period). Covered here is a storyboard snapshot of what many expectant and new parents experience, yet find difficult to have open conversations about:
Chapter 1
So finally you’re pregnant and your baby is on the way. For some, it’s been a quick and easy journey to become pregnant. For others, it’s been a long awaited and difficult path to finally reach this point where having a baby has become a reality.
Whether planned or unplanned, being pregnant often brings mixed emotions, which can be unexpected. In addition, concerns about becoming sick, being separated from friends and family, and the thought of having a reduced income may be added stressors.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
As the reality of a new life growing inside your body sets in, you start to feel and see changes in your body, in your thoughts, in your moods, in your likes and dislikes. Perhaps even in your ability to do things the way you used to. Being able to eat, drink, sleep and exercise as you usually would, suddenly changes.
Social expectations tell you this should be a time to enjoy every minute of your pregnancy and to rejoice in the upcoming birth of your child. Yet for many expectant parents, this is not quite the case.
Pregnancy can be one of the most challenging times in life, where expectations of how things should be, can be the complete opposite of how things actually are. Instead of feeling happy about your pregnancy, you may feel doubtful about your capacity to parent, anxious about your body’s ability to carry the pregnancy to term and stressed about the extra workload and financial implications of bringing a child into the world.
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
The time finally arrives when your baby is ready to be born. You’ve had up to 9 months to prepare yourself physically, mentally and emotionally for your new arrival. Whether you are ready or not, your baby is ready and on its way!
Yet, things don’t always go as planned. There’s so much uncertainty surrounding the birthing process that anxiety levels can increase significantly at this time. Especially if the birthing experience you were hoping and planning for, takes a completely different turn.
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Your baby is finally here. A beautiful little human being who relies completely on the care that parents can provide. Your baby thrives on feeding, staying warm, skin to skin touch, eye contact, and reassuring voices.
Your baby communicates their needs for care and connection the only way they know how: through sound whenever it needs to, day and night. These sounds may sound pleasant at times to the parent (for example cooing) and not so pleasant at other times (for example high pitched crying that may be triggering to the parent).
Chapter 4
So as a new parent lacking in sleep and adjusting to all the changes in your everyday life, how can you look after your own mental and emotional wellbeing, to give your baby the best start, to develop their own healthy sense of self?
If you would like more information and or support relating to mental and emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period, have a conversation with your GP and check out the following online services and resources:
For more information on Amity Health’s mental health service options for parents and children, please click here, contact us on (08) 98422797 or call the National PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306.
Guest Author - Sabrina David (Mental Health Clinician) November 2021