Pregnancy and parenting are not always what you expect…

• Pregnancy is often seen as a time of joy and excitement, but this is not true for everyone.
• The birth or adoption of a baby can bring physical, emotional and social changes. Adjustment to new roles and relationships is not always easy.

Depression and Anxiety Disorders are common in pregnancy and postpartum.

• Up to 20% of women experience depression after having a baby.  Mood disorders, such as anxiety, are also common. Partners and children can struggle too.
• It can affect anyone in the family!

Woman and/or partner may …

• Feel sad or numb
• Be tearful or cry a lot
• Feel exhausted, but not able to sleep
• Have changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Feel overwhelmed and can’t concentrate
• Seek constant reassurance from others or the internet
• Have no interest or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy
• Feel hopeless or worthless
• Feel restless, irritable or angry
• Feel guilty and ashamed
• Avoid spending time with family and friends
• Have thoughts of hurting themselves or others
• Have scary thoughts about the baby

If your loved one has thoughts of harming themselves, their baby or someone else, DO NOT leave them alone.

 

Contact or visit CMHA Crisis Support or take your loved one to the nearest Emergency Department.  

How can you help?

Emotional Support

• Share your concern and ask how you can help.
• Be willing to listen and accept their feelings.
• Provide reassurance and be supportive.
• Offer encouragement about counselling and treatment.

Hands-on Support

• Provide meals, do laundry or housework.
• Help with grocery shopping or driving to appointments.
• Offer to help arrange childcare.
• Encourage time for rest or physical activities (i.e. go for a walk)

Informational Support

• Learn about perinatal depression and anxiety disorders.
• Learn about mental health community and crisis services.
• Locate helpful information (i.e. on-line resources, support groups).
• Offer or help find prenatal or postpartum education opportunities.

Community Support

• Encourage seeing a healthcare professional.
• Offer to attend medical appointments or support groups.
• Encourage joining a support group.

What’s Not Helpful

• Criticizing or judging.
• Statements like “Snap out of it” or “You should be happy”.
• Stopping by without calling first.
• Blaming yourself or others.

*Adapted from Best Start: Creating Circles of Support, January 2010