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How to Deal with
Anxiety & Depression During Pregnancy
Depression and anxiety can occur at any
time in your life, and can often come to the surface with major events like pregnancy or
having a baby.
• Around 12 per cent of pregnant women in Australia experience antenatal depression – depression during pregnancy.
• Postnatal depression (PND) is depression that a woman experiences in the months after the birth of her baby. Postnatal depression affects almost 1 in 6 women in Australia (15%).
Risk Factors for Anxiety and Depression
Anyone can experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy, but women with
these risk factors are especially susceptible.
• A personal or family history of a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety
• A history of premenstrual dysphonic disorder (PMDD)
• Being a young mother (under the age of 20)
• Having poor social support• Living alone• Experiencing marital conflict
• Being divorced, widowed, or separated• Having experienced traumatic or stressful
events in the past year• Feeling ambivalent about being pregnant• Pregnancy complications• Having a low income• Having more than three children
Risk of Untreated Anxiety and Depression during Pregnancy
Risk to developing babies whose mothers have untreated Depression or Anxiety during
pregnancy include
• Low birth weight• Premature birth
(before 37 weeks)
• Low APGAR score (which rates a newborn's health after delivery)
• Poor adaptation outside the womb, including respiratory distress and jitteriness
Risks to the Mother Include
• Suicide• Pregnancy termination• Postpartum depression or anxiety• Use of substances such as alcohol or
drugs• Impaired attachment to the baby• Not taking good care of her physical
health• Preeclampsia• Preterm labor• Having a C-section
How to Deal with Anxiety and Depression
During Pregnancy
Seek help from your local counsellor
Do light exercises
Take lighter workload in your workplace
Nap whenever you can
Take good care of yourself
Learn different techniques of relaxation
