Emotional health and wellbeing while pregnant

Looking after yourself

Looking after your emotions or feelings when you are pregnant can help you and your baby. If you feel sad, down, worried or anxious for a long time and it affects your daily life, ask for help.

Depression and anxiety are common for women and men when planning a baby, during pregnancy, and after birth. With care and support, they can get better.

Some signs of anxiety or depression:

• always worrying
• feeling very sad or hopeless
• losing interest in fun activities
• having trouble focusing or falling asleep
• thoughts of hurting yourself.

Tell your doctor about any symptoms. Help and treatment make a big difference.

Most people with anxiety or depression benefit from one or a combination of the following:

• lifestyle changes and social support 
• psychological or “talking” therapies
• medical treatments.

For more support and information about depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit COPE.