Antenatal Mental Health Plan

Everyone plans for birth, attends birth and breastfeeding classes and sets themselves up for that big moment in time.

But did you know that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience perinatal mood disorders. Planning in the antenatal period for your postpartum mental health is as essential as planning for your birth. Don’t just make a birth plan, make a mental health plan as well. Take some time to consider how you might best prepare and support your mental health. Read the below and then download and complete the mental health plan while you are pregnant.

Setting up expectations and plans with your partner before the birth is important because you don’t know how you are going to feel or react after the birth of the baby and sometimes when hormones are at play, we don’t react how we expect to. These conversations early are crucial. Does your partner know how you ask for help. Do you need a codeword to get them to stop and listen and take it seriously. How will they know if you are venting from exhaustion or needing more specific help.

If you have a history of mental health concerns, be open about them with your family and all of your care providers so everyone can keep a close eye on you and how you are feeling. There is no shame in speaking about mental health and putting these plans and people in place. Ask for extra check ins. Treat your mental health with the same care you are setting up everything else.

Searching for the perfect stroller - Search for a great mental health professional.

Searching for the perfect cot - Set up mental health check ins with trusted people for the first 6 months.

Don’t stop medications without speaking with your health care providers first.

If you have bipolar disorder, have a strong plan in place as you are statistically at higher risk of perinatal mood disorders. 

Over the years, my breastfeeding class has focused more and more on mental health. Because as much as I would love your breastfeeding journey to be a huge success, none of it matters if you are not ok.

Lactation Consultants really worry about mental health, due to timing of our visits in those early weeks, we are often the first people to see that there might be a problem and we can change and tailor plans with you as we go. Nothing is set in stone ever. Sometimes we recommend you stop. Because we need you to be ok. 

I repeat - NOTHING MATTERS IF YOU ARE NOT OK. You need to look after yourself first to be able to look after anyone else. Remember the airplane rules, fit your own life saving devices before you fit anyone elses. 

I am available to talk at anytime and I will always drop anything to help you and just talk if that is what you need and I can connect you with other professionals in this space as well.

Much love, Peta x

Important Mental Health Phone Numbers

Gidget Foundation: 1300 851 758

NSW Health Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511        

Panda – 1300 726 306

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Emergency Services: 000