Therapy for women and new parents dealing with anxiety or low mood during pregnancy and the first year after birth. We help you understand what's happening and find support that fits around life with a baby.
The perinatal period covers pregnancy and the first year after birth. Up to 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experience anxiety or depression during this time. Depression after birth is known as postnatal depression, or postpartum depression.
Anxiety and depression can start during pregnancy, not only after birth.
Symptoms can start suddenly or build gradually over the weeks and months after birth.
Feeling teary and emotional in the first days after birth is common and usually passes within two weeks. This is known as the baby blues, and it is different from postnatal depression.
Many things can contribute, including sleep loss, a difficult pregnancy or birth, past mental health concerns, limited support, and the practical and emotional demands of a new baby.
Common signs include:
If these last longer than two weeks, or feel more intense than the baby blues, it's worth getting support.
We talk through how you're feeling, what's contributing and what support you already have around you.
This usually covers:
Practical ways to manage anxiety, low mood and overwhelm.
Working with self-critical or frightening thoughts so they have less hold.
Making the most of help from a partner, family, friends and local services.
Finding realistic ways to rest and look after yourself with a baby.
Australian perinatal guidelines recommend structured CBT for mild to moderate perinatal depression. Sessions draw on CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Viviana Cavuoto is a registered psychologist and registered nurse with more than 10 years' experience across public and private hospitals and local government Maternal and Child Health services.
To claim a Medicare rebate, ask your usual GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to Viviana Cavuoto at Mentum Psychology. To find out more, read how to get a referral.
It varies from person to person. It doesn't always pass on its own, so it's worth getting support rather than waiting for it to lift.
If low mood, worry or feeling overwhelmed lasts longer than two weeks, or makes it hard to get through the day, it's worth getting support. You don't need a diagnosis to book, and you can start during pregnancy or any time in the first year after birth.
Yes. Up to 1 in 10 new fathers experience anxiety or depression in the perinatal period. Partners are welcome to get in touch for support too.
Your GP or Maternal and Child Health nurse will usually ask about your mood and may use a short screening questionnaire called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. In Australia, it's recommended at least once in the first year after birth. A GP or psychologist can then talk through what's going on and what support would help.
Yes. Anxiety and depression can start during pregnancy, and you don't need to wait until your baby arrives to get support.
Unwanted, intrusive thoughts are common in new parents. They can be very distressing, and talking about them in therapy can help.
If you or someone close to you notices confusion, seeing or hearing things others don't, or unusual beliefs after birth, seek urgent medical help or call 000. This can be a sign of postnatal psychosis, which needs immediate care. You can also call the PANDA National Helpline on 1300 726 306.
Sessions are mostly by video or phone, which can be easier to fit around a baby. Some face-to-face sessions in Highett and Keysborough may be available on request, subject to room availability.
Yes. You can book privately. A GP referral is only needed to claim a Medicare rebate. Read how to get a referral.