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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Always wanted to enter a Cake Off? #cakedit is your chance

Always loved the PANDSI Cake Off? Well, now’s your chance to enter Perinatal Wellbeing Centre's challenge #cakedit to help raise vital funds for perinatal mental health. A HerCanberra article released today, 30 April 2020
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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.
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.
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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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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.
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.
Crisis help

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides information and referral to appropriate services in the community, however it is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Core services at Perinatal Wellbeing Centre are funded by ACT Health, however donations are gratefully accepted and help us to extend our services and reach more families. Your support is greatly appreciated. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable and receipts for all donations will be issued. Please make sure we have your email details so we can send them to you. Our ABN is: 43 775 427 479.
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.