Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network
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Antenatal depression

pregnancy


​Pregnancy can be a time when women experience heightened emotional states.  It can be an exciting time anticipating the birth of a baby, but it can also be a time filled with anxious apprehension.  In some cases, women notice that their thoughts become obsessive and/or their behaviours become compulsive. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can manifest in pregnancy, which can be distressing and disabling. 


Anxiety can be common for women who have experienced previous losses or difficulties conceiving.  Pre-existing fears or worries may manifest themselves during pregnancy.  Worries specific to the safety of the baby can become overwhelming.  Many women speak of the 'horror stories' other women tell them, and these stories can be frightening for some pregnant women.  Specific fear of childbirth can bring women to counselling, as can more general fears around becoming parents, losses of old life, losses of work identity, changes to relationships, etc.

Antenatal and Postnatal Psychology Network psychologists assist women with antenatal depression, anxiety (including obsessive-compulsive disorder) and stress.  Emotional distress may be associated with symptoms of pregnancy, family difficulties, relationship difficulties, body image issues, unresolved family of origin issues, grief and loss, trauma, or previous mood or anxiety disorders and gender disappointment (following gender confirmation).  Network psychologists refer to and liaise with perinatal psychiatrists when the biological management of mood disturbance is required.

Some women and couples are faced with diagnoses of fetal anomalies which can result in having to process complex information involving difficult decisions about a pregnancy.  Network psychologists do not advise women and couples on their decision making.  With a non-judgemental stance, Network psychologists facilitate a process whereby each person can address the complexity and emotions surrounding their decision making, in order to come to decisions that feel right for them. ​

articles and resources


Managing your mind: A tool for taming worry

Mind too busy to sleep: Do the cognitive shuffle

Anxiety in pregnancy

Pregnancy pearls: Psychologists' tips for managing stress in pregnancy

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We acknowledge and pay respects to the Elders and Traditional Owners of the land on which our psychologists practise.
  • HOME
  • COUNSELLING For...
    • Conception & fertility
    • Pregnancy decision-making
    • Pregnancy
    • Childbirth
    • Postnatal period
    • Parenting & child
    • Difficult diagnoses
    • Miscarriage & loss
    • Gender disappointment
    • Couple relationship
    • Family relationships
    • Work-related stress
    • Babies and children
  • PSYCHOLOGISTS
    • Dr Renée Miller Principal
    • Dr Megan Andrew
    • Dr Brooke Andrews
    • Vickey Annakis
    • Dr Carolina Barbosa
    • Dr Karola Belton
    • Dr Kate Caldwell
    • Dr Nicole Canin
    • Dr Delwyn Carpenter
    • Anna Costello
    • Emily D'Amour
    • Hettie Dubow
    • Dr Emily Horwill
    • Dr Michelle Kornblum
    • Melissa Lagozzino
    • Beverley Marcus
    • Dr Rebecca McNamara
    • Megan Mellington
    • Dr Melanie Quinn
    • Dr Gwyn Rees
    • Yolanda Romeo
    • Jessica Saville
    • Kanthi Sayers
    • Dr Tania Slaviero
    • Gillian Snow
    • Dr Alicia Tanner
    • Bianca Whiteman
  • REFERRAL
    • For clients >
      • Appointments
    • For referrers >
      • Download practitioner list
      • Perinatal psychiatry
      • Screening patients
      • Referral to Littlies Clinic
  • LOCATIONS
    • Melbourne >
      • Albert Park
      • Ascot Vale
      • Balwyn
      • Boronia
      • Brunswick
      • Carlton North
      • Caulfield South
      • Eltham
      • Hampton
      • Kew
      • Malvern
      • Niddrie/Essendon
      • Northcote
      • Plenty
      • Seddon
      • Tecoma (Dandenong Ranges)
      • Thornbury
      • Werribee
      • Williamstown
    • Mornington Peninsula >
      • Mornington
    • Regional Victoria >
      • Warrnambool
    • Telehealth
  • Littlies Clinic
  • RESOURCES
    • Resources
    • Videos
    • Information posts
    • Community support
    • TED Talks we love
  • RESEARCH
    • For researchers
    • Research studies