Understanding thoughts and feelings
Even when change is positive, it can still be challenging. Having mixed and complex emotions while you are expecting your baby is normal, but these can be confronting emotions to manage.
If your feelings are worrying you or affecting your ability to function in daily life, you may be experiencing symptoms of antenatal anxiety or depression. This is nothing to be ashamed of, antenatal mental health concerns are common.
Here you'll find information that can help you understand the things you might be thinking and feeling during pregnancy.
Adjusting to change during pregnancy
Pregnancy brings big changes
Becoming a parent can be a wonderful time of life, but as a time of intense change and adjustment it can also bring strong and unexpected feelings. You may experience many different emotions as you adjust to the new realities of pregnancy and anticipating becoming a parent.
Find out more about some of the changes you can expect, and learn strategies to help you cope.
Signs and symptoms
Understanding what you're feeling
Antenatal anxiety and depression symptoms can be different for each expecting parent. Many expecting parents experience a mixed mood that includes both depressed and anxious symptoms.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below (or any others) that are affecting your daily function and mental and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to talk to someone.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with family and friends about what’s happening, you can call PANDA. We’ll listen, give you more information and can help you link in with antenatal mental health supports in your area.
Antenatal anxiety
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Changes to mood
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Changes to behaviour
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Changes to relationships
Antenatal depression
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Changes to mood
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Changes to behaviour
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Changes to relationships
Calling the PANDA Helpline
What happens when I call the PANDA helpline?
PANDA is a national telephone counselling service delivered by professional counsellors and dedicated peer support volunteers with a lived experienceof perinatal mental health issues.
When you call PANDA, we’ll provide a safe, caring and confidential space for you to talk through any concerns you may have as an expecting or new parent, or support person.
Information for expecting parents
PANDA CHATBOT
Chat to Dot
Meet Dot. They’re here to support you to explore your mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy and as a new parent.
Mental health checklist
How are you going?
Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges. Our mental health checklist can help you to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be reason to seek help.