Perinatal and Postnatal Mental Health

Maternal Mental Health

Perinatal and postnatal mental health are terms used to refer to the emotional wellbeing of parents during pregnancy and after birth. While these periods often bring joy and excitement as they are periods of change, they may also feel overwhelming or stressful. Hormonal changes, physical recovery, sleep disruption and the adjustment to caring for a newborn can all affect how someone feels day‑to‑day. Understanding these experiences helps parents recognise when they may need extra support.

Seeking help early can make a significant difference. We offer counselling in Footscray and our psychologists service the Western suburbs of Melbourne. Our clinicians can support you through the emotional challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood, offering compassionate, evidence‑based care tailored to your needs. If you’re feeling, stuck, scared or overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Please contact us to learn about our psychologists in Footscray or to find out more.

Difficulties during the perinatal and postnatal period

Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disease burden in Australian women of child-bearing age (15 to 44 years; AIHW 2022), with the perinatal period considered to be a time of increased risk. Mothers are likely more at risk if they have a history of mental health difficulties (for example things such as anxiety, depression, OCD or trauma, or emotional dysregulation), or have experienced period-specific disorders such as psychological birth trauma or postpartum psychosis. Poor perinatal health in mothers can have significant impact on their wellbeing and also the wellbeing of their babies, and so if you feel like you might be struggling, it’s important to reach out to connect with our psychologists in Footscray.

If you’re looking for other resources, Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) offers a free national helpline for maternal mental health, resources, guidance and links to networks. Gidget Foundation Australia also offers resources for consumers and professionals. Additionally, MumSpace is free digital hub for perinatal depression and anxiety. It offers evidence-based tools to support maternal mental health. Finally, the Raising Children Network provides free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts. If online resources aren’t enough, you might need to seek the support of a psychologist There are a range of therapies that might be helpful, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy or Schema Therapy. Please contact us to find a psychologist in Footscray.

Perinatal Mental Health

During pregnancy and up to 12 months after birth. Common experiences during pregnancy can include:

Emotional changes — feeling more sensitive, worried or easily overwhelmed
Anxiety — concerns about the baby’s health, birth, or becoming a parent
Low mood — reduced motivation, sadness or loss of interest in usual activities
Sleep difficulties — trouble falling or staying asleep due to discomfort or stress
Physical strain — pain, fatigue and nausea that impact emotional wellbeing
Relationship stress — adjusting to new roles and expectations

Postnatal Mental Health

After birth (also called postpartum), typically lasting six to eight weeks. After birth, many parents experience a mix of emotions. Some common challenges include:

‘Baby blues’ — short‑term mood swings, tearfulness and irritability in the first days after birth
Postnatal anxiety — persistent worry, racing thoughts or fear of something going wrong
Postnatal depression — ongoing sadness, withdrawal, or difficulty bonding with the baby
Sleep deprivation — exhaustion that affects mood, concentration and coping
Identity changes — adjusting to the new role of parenthood
Social isolation — feeling alone or disconnected from usual supports

So, what can I do?

Maternal mental health during the perinatal period is important to monitor, as poor outcomes can have long-term impacts on both mothers and infants (AIHW, 2024). If you’re feeling down, anxious our overwhelmed with your mental health or your caring responsibilties, it might be time to reach out. Please feel free to get in touch to have a chat to us about finding a psychologist in Melbourne who might be a good fit.

We have Medicare rebate psychologists available, and we offer telehealth psychologists, Workcover psychologists and TAC psychologists. Pregnancy Support Counselling items are also available.

Psychology FAQs

Have a question? Take a look below… these are some of the common questions we get.

No referral is needed to book a session, but if you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you might be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Yep, life happens! Just give us at least 48 hours’ notice so we can offer that spot to someone else. Cancellations within 48 hours will incur a fee.

We don’t usually offer instalment plans, but if money’s tight, chat with us privately – we’re happy to see how we can find a solution.

The Medicare rebates are listed above, but if you on WorkCover, TAC or VOCAT the gap fees tend to be lower. With private insurance, we find they tend to be on-par with Medicare rebates. We can help you understand what’s covered and what your gap fee will be – just ask us when booking.

No worries! You can book on their behalf, just make sure you have their consent and relevant details to help our intake process.

Ready to talk?

Please get in touch today to have a chat to our friendly team so we can match you with an appropriate psychologist. If you are an existing client, you can book online.

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