Perinatal anxiety

1 in 4 people will experience anxiety in their lifetime and for women it is more likely to occur during pregnancy or in the year following birth. As many as 1 in 5 women will experience perinatal anxiety.

Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal anxiety.

Anxiety can be described as a ‘loss of control’ of thoughts and emotions. Feelings of guilt and self-blame are common signs of anxiety in the perinatal period, but people may experience any range of physical and emotional symptoms. These symptoms are often so exhausting that they can create a cycle that is hard to overcome. Depression can also occur at the same time as anxiety.

All parents are likely to experience some symptoms of postnatal anxiety at times, particularly when emotionally and physically exhausted. If you experience symptoms that are impacting your daily life for longer than 2 weeks, we encourage you to discuss this with a health professional. Your GP is a great place to start as they can look into whether you might benefit from clinical treatment, and inform you about the options that are available to you.

At the Perinatal Wellness Centre, we can support you to find your way through the anxiety and learn new ways to care for yourself. We can work with you to find the strategies that work best for you.

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Happy Holidays

The team at Perinatal Wellbeing Centre wishes all of our clients, partners and friends a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.
Craft at Bunnings

Our monthly craft groups at Bunnings Belconnen will resume in March 2020. There are free craft activities, tea and coffee, and a relaxed and welcoming environment for parents and children to enjoy and socialise in.
Media Releases

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre Media Releases
The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia

Perinatal depression and anxiety costs $877 million a year in Australia, and that is just the beginning. Our new report 'The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia' highlights key findings on the economic costs of PNDA.

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How we help you

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre programs are designed to provide the support you need at every stage, and our team of Perinatal Mental Health Workers can work with you to tailor your own pathway through our services. Call 02 6288 1936 and speak to a member of our team about how you are feeling and how we can help. No diagnosis or referral is required.
The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia

Perinatal depression and anxiety costs $877 million a year in Australia, and that is just the beginning. Our new report 'The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia' highlights key findings on the economic costs of PNDA.
Jobs

A Working with Vulnerable People registration is a requirement for all Perinatal Wellbeing Centre staff. Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is committed to ongoing staff development and training and offers generous salary packaging opportunities. Benefits of working at Perinatal Wellbeing Centre include a friendly and collaborative working environment in Weston with free parking.
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Support groups

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides support groups aimed at connecting you with others who are having similar experiences. Groups provide an opportunity to share mutual support, as well as looking at strategies to aid in recovery. To access a support group you need to first be a client of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre. To become a client click here.
What we do

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory. Primarily funded by ACT Health, it is staffed by experienced perinatal mental health workers and administration staff.
Craft at Bunnings

Our monthly craft groups at Bunnings Belconnen will resume in March 2020. There are free craft activities, tea and coffee, and a relaxed and welcoming environment for parents and children to enjoy and socialise in.
Perinatal depression

Depression occurs in up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy, and in up to 1 in 7 women after the birth of a baby. Men are also affected by postnatal depression. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal depression.
Board

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation ACT 1991. The Board is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, providing strategic direction and overseeing all operations of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.