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Mental wellbeing during pregnancy

Key facts

  • It's just as important to look after your mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy, as your physical health.
  • Being mentally healthy can put you in the best position to manage the challenges of pregnancy and life with a new baby.
  • Some expectant parents develop mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety during pregnancy.
  • See your doctor or midwife if your mental health is affecting your daily life or you have a low mood for 2 weeks or more.
  • Getting enough rest, exercising, eating healthy meals and reducing stress will all help you maintain your mental wellbeing during pregnancy.

What is mental wellbeing?

The term 'mental wellbeing' refers to your state of mind.

Good mental wellbeing helps you to:

  • have good mental health
  • feel confident in dealing with life's challenges
  • be productive in your daily life

Poor mental wellbeing can make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life, including how you manage:

  • stress
  • work
  • your relationships

How can pregnancy affect my mental health and wellbeing?

Pregnancy, and preparing to have a baby, is an exciting time but can also be challenging. There are many reasons why pregnancy can impact your mental wellbeing (Opens in new tab).

It's normal to feel some anxiety if you are pregnant or about to become a parent. Pregnancy may also make you feel:

Common concerns can include worrying about:

  • your baby's health
  • labour and giving birth
  • how your life will change with parenthood
  • how your relationship with your partner and others may change
  • how your studies, work or career may change

In addition, pregnancy itself can be stressful:

You may have expectations about what pregnancy will be like. It can be difficult if your experience does not match your expectations or others' experiences. This can leave you feeling unsettled, or like you have failed. It's important to remember that it is normal to have difficult feelings during this time. Your experience may be similar or different to others, but you are not alone. Having mixed feelings about pregnancy and parenthood does not mean that you will be a bad parent.

While it is normal, it is still important to seek help if you are struggling with your mental wellbeing during pregnancy.

There is support available to help you to:

  • understand and enjoy your pregnancy experience
  • cope with any challenges during pregnancy
  • prepare for parenthood
  • prevent distress and symptoms of mental health conditions

What mental health conditions might I experience during pregnancy?

Mental health conditions are common during pregnancy and in the year after birth.

Perinatal anxiety or depression affect up to 1 in 5 people who are pregnant or are new parents.

Other mental health conditions that can happen during pregnancy are:

Other less common mental health conditions include:

Your partner can also experience mental health conditions during pregnancy. Read more on partners and depression.

What are the risk factors for mental ill health during pregnancy?

Certain factors can increase your chance of developing mental health conditions (Opens in new tab) during pregnancy. These include:

Mental health challenges are common. Anyone can have a mental health condition — it's nothing to be ashamed about. If you think you have a mental illness, speak to your doctor or midwife.

What are the symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression?

Symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression include:

  • general and constant worrying, often about your baby's health
  • feeling sad, low or crying for no obvious reason
  • feeling agitated and frustrated
  • feeling shame or guilt
  • having outbursts of anger or rage

Perinatal anxiety and depression can also cause you to:

  • pull away from friends and family
  • lose interest in things that usually bring you joy
  • have changes in appetite
  • have sleep problems
  • have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Your partner can also experience the same symptoms or different symptoms.

 

Warning:

If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

When should I see my doctor or midwife?

Any pregnancy can have its ups and downs. You should seek advice from a health professional such as your doctor or midwife if you experience:

  • a low, sad or worried mood for 2 weeks or longer
  • negative thoughts and feelings that affect your ability to function normally
  • signs of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions

It's a good idea for all expecting parents to monitor their mental health and wellbeing. Look out for signs that you may need help. Don't hesitate to seek support if you need it.

Warning:

If you or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

How can I manage my mental wellbeing during pregnancy?

There are many things you can do to help care for your mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy:

  • Don't expect too much of yourself and rest when you need to.
  • Try to think realistically about what to expect from pregnancy and parenthood.
  • Don't compare yourself to how others seem to experience pregnancy
  • Try not to make major changes unless you have to. This might include moving house or changing jobs.
  • Eat regular healthy meals and keep physically active. Check with your doctor or midwife before you start an exercise program.
  • Spend time with people who make you feel relaxed and good about yourself.
  • Avoid using drugs or alcohol to deal with stress.
  • Make connections with other expectant parents so you can support each other.

Remember that it's okay to accept help and to ask for help if you need it.

Resources and support

There's lots of help available to support your mental health during pregnancy. Talk to your partner, someone you trust or your doctor or midwife. You can also reach out to the following support services:

Access SANE's (Opens in new tab) range of free mental health supports at sane.org/get-support (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

You can read the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (Opens in new tab) factsheet on Perinatal Depression and Anxiety (PNDA), available in multiple languages (Opens in new tab).

PANDA also have a checklist (Opens in new tab) available in many languages to help you understand how you're feeling and if you might need support.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

ForWhen provides mental health and wellbeing information (Opens in new tab) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people during pregnancy and afterwards.

Call 13YARN (Opens in new tab) on 13 92 76 to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse families

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) has resources and tips for LGBTIQ+ parents and rainbow families (Opens in new tab).

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Last reviewed: May 2026

Need more information?

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Perinatal depression and anxiety explained

Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood (the perinatal period) is a time of significant change in a person’s life. All expectant and new parents, including mums, dads and partners will have some good days and some bad days. Ups and downs are expected and common. However, when difficult days outweigh the good, and those feelings begin to impact their ability to function day to day, an expectant or new parent may be experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety (PNDA).
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