There are many changes that happen both physically and emotionally during pregnancy and after your baby is born. If you are worried about how you are feeling, reach out and get support from a friend, family member or health professional. 

Being a new parent can be a happy time, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. It’s common to feel sad, anxious or stressed from time to time. Symptoms like the ones shown below that last longer than 2 weeks may be signs of antenatal or post natal depression. It is important to get help from your health professional if you are:

• Feeling like a failure
• Worrying about everything
• Feeling constantly sad, low or crying for no reason
• Not seeing the joy in things like you once did
• Scared of being alone or going out
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling angry
• Finding it difficult to focus or concentrate
• Having thoughts of harming your baby or yourself.

Living with high levels of stress during pregnancy can also affect the growing brain of your baby. Help is available from the support services listed below.