Mental Wellbeing in Pregnancy & Beyond

Trying to balance the demands of parenting whilst also prioritising your mental well-being can be tough, but support is available.

No amount of experience with kids or advice from family and friends quite prepares you for the highs and lows of parenthood.

Bringing our little people into the world is roller-coaster ride and you’re not alone in at times questioning what on earth has happened to your life.

You may experience any range of emotions – fear, anxiety, love, happiness, disbelief, regret, contentment, amazement, anger, frustration and sadness, sometimes all in the same afternoon.

Whatever your experience, you need to know that you’re not alone.

We all want to be the best versions of parents that we can be.

Our mental well-being can impact our ability to be our best selves and this in turn can have an impact on how we parent and engage with our kids, as well as influencing their psycho-social development.

Research from the Parenting Research Centre (2020) shows that mental health issues are common amongst Victorian parents. It also shows that children can thrive when parents are supported.

The Parenting Today in Victoria 2019 Survey (Parenting Research Centre, 2020) consisted of 2,600 participants (59% women and 41% men) who were primary caregivers of children under 19 years of age. Of those surveyed, 63% reported good current mental health. However, 76% said they had experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress since having children, with 31% reporting moderate levels of current psychological distress and 6% reporting serious levels of current psychological distress.

The study showed that some participants found parenting enjoyable or rewarding, with confidence in their parenting. Others reported that they regretted their levels of impatience with their children, wished they were more consistent in their parenting approach, felt their level of tiredness impacted parenting, which was experienced as frustrating or demanding with worries about their children’s future (Parenting Research Centre, 2020).

What does this mean for you if you have experienced some of these concerns or difficulties with your mental well-being?

First and foremost, it means that you aren’t alone and that there is hope. Wade (2020) states that “children thrive when their parents are supported to provide a safe and nurturing environment, even in the face of challenges like parental mental illness”.

If you are struggling with your mental health or well-being, the best thing you can do is reach out and seek help:

·      See your General Practitioner to obtain a Mental Health Care Plan to see a Mental Health Practitioner.

·      Talk to your partner, family or friends to increase the support around you, which is critical to your ability to prioritise your own mental health.

·      Check out some reputable information from PANDA, COPE (Centre for Perinatal Excellence) or Raising Children.

·      Utilise Parentline - a telephone counselling service for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 18 years, ph: 13 22 89.

The transition to parenting is life-changing and there are many seasons or phases of parenting that follow. It’s okay and normal to need different types of support at different times.

What can a mental health practitioner offer you? It all depends – on your symptoms, your current stressors, past experiences, your individual needs and your treatment goals. Some common ways that I support parents to optimise their mental health and well-being includes, but is not limited to:

·      Identification and processing of pregnancy or birth trauma which may impact attachment.

·      Identification and treatment of anxiety or depression (therapeutic approach can vary but may include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) as well other mental health disorders.

·      Interventions focussed on emotion regulation.

·      Stress management strategies or focus on enhancing current coping skills.

·      Problem solving current stressors.

·      Identification of other possible supports and resources.

·      Understanding how your identity and sense of self may have been impacted throughout parenthood.

·      Values identification and goal setting.

·      Understanding if and how your personal history impacts you as a parent.

If you have any questions or want to know more about possible support through The Centre for Perinatal Health & Parenting please contact reception on (03) 53 242 900.

While I will be off on maternity leave and tackling the many transitions when one becomes two, the various members of the team are here to support the parents of Ballarat and beyond (Telehealth available) to take steps to be the optimal parent they can be!

References:

Parenting Research Centre. 2020. Help Children Thrive: Parenting Today in Victoria: 2019 survey. https://www.parentingrc.org.au/ptiv2019/

Wade, C. (2020, April). Parental mental health and parenting: How are they related? Emerging Minds. https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parental-mental-health-and-parenting-how-are-they-related/