What should I consider if I'm living with a mental illness and planning pregnancy?

If you are living with a mental health condition and thinking about having a baby, or if you are already pregnant, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or midwife early on. Together, you can plan for the physical, emotional and mental changes ahead and decide what care is right for you.

Pregnancy can bring about many changes — to your body and mind. If you already live with mental health challenges, like depression, anxiety or another condition, it might affect how you feel during pregnancy. At the same time, pregnancy might also affect your mental health and wellbeing.

Read about anxiety and pregnancy.

Read about depression and pregnancy.

Every person’s story is unique. Your healthcare provider will listen to what matters to you — your culture, your community, your ways of staying strong. Depending on your needs and the services available in your area, they might also offer to refer you for extra support from a perinatal mental health services team.

Planning ahead can help you stay as well as possible throughout your pregnancy journey.

Will having a mental illness affect my pregnancy?

Living with a mental illness can affect your pregnancy. For example, mental illness can:

• impact how you take care of yourself, which can affect your baby’s health
• affect your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your partner, family and baby
• affect your baby’s development during pregnancy

Living with a mental illness may lead to a higher risk of developing some complications during pregnancy. Examples include gestational diabetes and having a baby that is born small or early (preterm). You also have a higher chance of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Different mental health conditions can affect your pregnancy in different ways. Your doctor will talk through these with you and help plan your care.

How can I manage mental illness while I’m pregnant?

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, there are ways to care for yourself as well as medicines and other treatments to help manage your mental health.

Each person is different and has different circumstances, and your healthcare team will consider both your pregnancy and mental health needs when recommending a treatment approach that best suits you.

Your doctor may suggest a referral to a perinatal mental health team that specialises in managing mental illnesses in pregnancy and after you give birth. They will consider your personal wishes, cultural background and health needs when working with you to create a treatment plan.

Self-care at home

Looking after yourself is an important part of managing your mental health. For example, try to:

• get enough sleep
• keep a healthy and balanced diet
• be active — talk with your doctor about what types of physical activity are safe for you during pregnancy
• stay connected with people you trust
• keep a regular routine
• join a support group to connect with people who are going through similar things

Ask your doctor or midwife about other self-care options that can help while you’re pregnant.

Read more about feelings, relationships and pregnancy.

Medicines to treat mental illness during pregnancy

If you are living with mental illness and take medicines every day, do not stop or change your dose without first discussing your situation with your doctor.

Some medicines are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This includes most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that help manage depression and anxiety.

For some medicines though, there is not enough evidence to say if they should be stopped during pregnancy. This includes some medicines used to manage bipolar disorder. For example, valproic acid is not recommended during pregnancy.

Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options. They will explain the effect these medicines can have on your pregnancy, as well as how stopping them might affect your mental health. This way, you can make an informed decision on how to best manage your mental health while you’re pregnant and after your baby is born. This is called shared decision making.

Other treatments

Other treatments to manage your mental health during pregnancy include:

• different types of psychological therapies, for example cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• yoga, relaxation and mindfulness training
• childbirth and parenting classes
• yarning if you belong to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, you may find it helpful to connect with services that offer yarning or culturally safe support. Culturally safe midwifery-led care is available through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and public hospitals.

Being supported by the same healthcare team throughout your journey can reduce stress and improve mental and physical health outcomes for both you and your baby.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor:

• before you start trying for a baby, so you can plan the best way to manage your mental health during pregnancy and after birth
• during your pregnancy if you or people around you are concerned that your mental health has been affected and you are not acting like your usual self
• towards the end of your pregnancy, before your due date, to plan how to manage your mental health after your baby is born, and while you’re breastfeeding (if you plan to)

What should I do if I'm not coping during my pregnancy?

If you are not coping during your pregnancy, reach out. Speak with your perinatal mental health team, midwife, GP or obstetrician.

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed, anxious or low. If these feelings do not go away or are getting worse, speak with someone you trust.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Will having a mental illness affect my baby?

Living with a mental illness can affect your baby, but good care and support can help reduce the chance of your baby being affected.

Living with mental illness during pregnancy and after you give birth can affect:

• your baby’s growth
• your baby’s brain development
• how you bond with your baby

For example, high levels of anxiety during pregnancy can affect your baby’s neurodevelopment.

After you give birth, if you are experiencing depression, your ability to parent may be affected. Some people become less responsive to their baby’s needs because of mental illness. This can affect their baby’s development.

The good news is that early support and treatment during pregnancy and after your baby is born can help protect them. Remember, you are not alone. Support is available to help you and your baby thrive.

Resources and support

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) has information and support if you’re becoming a parent and have a pre-existing mental health condition.
• The Gidget Foundation Australia supports the emotional wellbeing of expectant, new and potential parents.
• The Royal Women’s Hospital has a collection of fact sheets about mental health and pregnancy.

For advice and to connect to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

• Call ForWhen on 1300 24 23 22 in your State or Territory for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mental health and well-being care during the perinatal period.
• You can find out more about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pregnancy health at Stronger Bubba Born, or watch the How to Have a Safer Pregnancy video.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

• PANDA have a checklist available in many languages to understand how you're feeling and if you might need support.
• The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health has a catalogue of health resources for females, available in more than 70 languages.
• The COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) website can be translated into many community languages.

Looking for information for sexually and gender-diverse families?

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) offers mental health support during pregnancy for sexually and gender-diverse people, couples and families.