Lived experience: mental health

It is ok if you don’t feel ok.

It has all been pretty scary and overwhelming. I don’t like change at all and I guess pregnancy has been a lot of changes … having kids is pretty overwhelming.

Dakota

In my head, I thought that the panic attacks were going to go away if I ignored them. There were lots going on with the baby so I kept the panic attacks at low priority. I was also very brain fogged so I wasn’t being logical … If I had more support for the baby while being hospitalised I will have more opportunity to care for myself.

Harper

I found it all really intense and I was exhausted physically and mentally.

Kimmi

Some found it hard to get support while pregnant

Also, sometimes, looking back on it, another thing that I needed was they got me in touch with the social worker and the mental health team, but they needed to be consistently around and be able to be contacted by myself. Because sometimes they weren't around, and I needed them, and I would ask the midwives or the nurses to contact them, and it would take sometimes days or weeks for them to be like, "Oh, we could get in contact with them." After my babies had been born, I had previously been in contact with the mental health team at the site where I gave birth, but after they had been born, I kept requesting to see them and no one came. And so it took over a week or so for anyone to actually come and talk to me, and by which point it was too late for some things.

Alex

Research

Did you know that Autistic people may be at a higher risk for prenatal depression and anxiety? A research study by Hampton was published in 2022. It is based on data from the UK, but shows that Autistic people were three times more likely than non-Autistic people in their study to experience prenatal depression or anxiety.

Self-compassion and mental health

Self-compassion is being kind and gentle to ourselves. Researchers from the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) are pioneers in autism and self-compassion research, and have worked with Autistic advisors to develop the Aspect Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults (ASPAA). ASPAA is an online program designed to help Autistic adults build self-compassion skills, regulate emotions, and boost mental well-being.

Pregnancy mental health resources

The Royal Women's Hospital Victoria pregnancy mental health resources

Victorian Government mental health services for parents and babies

Victorian Government Better Health Channel pregnancy and mental health resources

Mental health support services

Beyond Blue Support Service

Information and referral to services for depression and anxiety related matters

Phone: 1300 22 46 36

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly Adults Surviving Child Abuse)

Information and short-term counselling nationally via telephone for adult survivors of childhood trauma

Phone: 1300 657 380 and email helpline@blueknot.org.au 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm AEST.

Mental health, pregnancy and parenthood