Understanding Perinatal Mental Health: What Every Mum Deserves to Know

Pregnancy and early motherhood are often described as joyful, magical seasons of life. But for many mums, the experience feels far more complicated. Anxiety, worry, sadness, overwhelm, or feeling “not like yourself” are far more common than most people realise and they are nothing to be ashamed of.

In fact, new data from the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) suggests that the rates of perinatal anxiety and depression are increasing, not decreasing.
This means more mums are struggling quietly, often feeling like everyone else is coping better than they are.

This article will help you understand why perinatal mental health changes happen, what signs to look for, and most importantly, how to access the right support early.

Why Perinatal Mental Health Matters

Perinatal mental health covers your emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and throughout the first year after birth.
According to Dr Nicole Highet, around 1 in 5 women experience depression or anxiety in this period, and the numbers are rising even outside the COVID years.

Mental health challenges are not a sign that you’re failing.
They’re a sign that your mind and body are under stress and they need care, not pressure.

Left untreated, these conditions can affect:

• Your emotional wellbeing
• Your connection with your baby
• Your physical recovery
• Your relationships
• Even your child’s long-term development

This is why early screening and early help make such a profound difference.

What Can Trigger Perinatal Mental Health Challenges?

Dr Highet highlights that emotional wellbeing can be impacted at many different stages, not just birth and the newborn phase.

1. Preconception & Infertility

Infertility can feel like a rollercoaster of hope, grief, and disappointment.
Many women describe:

• Feeling isolated
• Jealousy or resentment toward others
• Shame or failure
• Grieving quietly without support

These emotions can carry into pregnancy, even after conception.

2. Pregnancy

Pregnancy is often portrayed as glowing and joyful but for many women, it is physically and emotionally challenging.

Common struggles include:

• Anxiety and depression that go unnoticed
• Hyperemesis (severe morning sickness), which affects mental health in up to 60% of mothers experiencing it
• Body image changes
• Returning symptoms of past anxiety, depression, or eating disorders

Many mums describe feeling shocked that pregnancy wasn’t what they expected.

3. Birth Experience

Birth can be empowering but it can also be frightening, overwhelming, or disappointing.

Dr Highet’s data shows:

• 30–40% of women describe their birth as frightening or disappointing
• Birth trauma is more common in settings without continuity of care
• Many mums never receive a chance to debrief after birth

Partners may also experience trauma, often silently.

4. Postnatal Period

Once the baby arrives, pressure intensifies:

• Feeding struggles and guilt
• Sleep deprivation
• An unsettled or constantly crying baby
• Overwhelm, intrusive thoughts or racing thoughts
• Rage, irritability or emotional numbness
• Feeling pressured by unsolicited advice
• Shifts in relationships and identity

Many mums say they felt unprepared, guilty, or alone even when surrounded by others.

What Perinatal Mental Health Challenges Can Look Like

It’s not always obvious or dramatic.
Often, it’s quiet. Persistent. Hard to explain.

Common signs include:

• Constant worry or fear
• Feeling sad, hopeless or empty
• Trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps
• Loss of enjoyment
• Irritability or anger
• Feeling out of control
• Not feeling bonded with the baby
• Withdrawing from others
• Feeling like “everyone else is coping except me”
• Thoughts that scare you

Dr Highet emphasises that many mums minimise or hide their symptoms because of fear of judgment or worry that seeking help means they are “not coping.”

But early support changes everything.

Why Early Support Makes a Big Difference

COPE’s research shows:

• Many parents delay getting help until they reach breaking point
• Screening through digital tools dramatically increases honesty and early detection
• Early support improves outcomes for both mum and baby
• Untreated anxiety or depression during pregnancy can affect birth outcomes and long-term child development

Perinatal mental health is just as important as physical health and deserves the same level of care and attention.

Where Mums Can Find Support

Dr Highet highlights several evidence-informed supports available to all parents in Australia:

🌿 Ready to COPE (Free Emotional Wellbeing Guide)

Week-by-week guidance from pregnancy to your baby’s first birthday.
Designed to help you understand what’s normal, what to expect, and when to get help.
Mums report feeling less alone and seeking help earlier after using it.

🌿 COPE Website

A trusted source for information about anxiety, depression, birth trauma, loss, stress, eating disorders, and more.

🌿 The COPE Directory

A national directory of mental health professionals and services trained in perinatal care.
Mums can search by postcode, telehealth, bulk-billing, and cultural needs.

🌿 GP, psychologist, counsellor or perinatal specialist

Many mums feel hesitant to bring up mental health concerns, but these professionals are trained to help.

Reaching out early is not a weakness.
It is an act of care for yourself and for your family.

You Are Not Failing. You Are Human.

Motherhood is beautiful and exhausting, empowering and overwhelming, sometimes all in the same day.

If something feels “off,” or if you’ve been quietly struggling, please know:

You are not alone.
Your feelings matter.
And help exists… real, compassionate, evidence-informed help.

You deserve support as you care for your family.
You deserve to feel understood.
You deserve to feel like yourself again.

Find Safe, Supportive Care

MumSafe™ Trainers work closely with Women’s Health Physiotherapists and follow trauma-aware, women-centred practices. They support mums physically and emotionally throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

👉 Find a qualified MumSafe™ Trainer near you or online. Click here to find a MumSafe™ Trainer near you or online.

Are you a trainer who wants to better support mums through pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and emotional wellbeing?

👉 Learn more about joining the MumSafe™ team. Check this link here.