Postnatal Anxiety

What is Postnatal Anxiety?

Postnatal anxiety (sometimes called postpartum anxiety) is a condition where feelings of worry, fear or unease become persistent and hard to control after the birth of a baby. These feelings may focus on your baby’s health and wellbeing, your own ability to parent, or a sense that something may go wrong.

Unlike everyday worries, postnatal anxiety does not ease with reassurance and can begin to affect your daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

How common is Postnatal Anxiety?

Postnatal anxiety (after birth) is common, affecting up to 1 in 5 (20%) of Australian mothers and 11% of fathers in the first year after birth. Anxiety can occur on its own or alongside postnatal depression.

Many parents may not recognise their symptoms as anxiety, but support is available and recovery is possible.

‍

Signs and Symptoms

Postnatal anxiety can look different for everyone, but some common experiences include:

• Feeling constantly worried or on edge
• Racing thoughts or difficulty switching off
• Trouble sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to relax
• Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea
• Avoiding certain situations due to fear or worry
• Feeling a strong need to check on your baby repeatedly
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Some parents may also experience panic attacks, which can feel sudden and intense. Intrusive thoughts are also very common for parents experiencing anxiety; these are images, ideas, thoughts or impulses that are negative, unwanted and often upsetting.

‍

Why does Postnatal Anxiety happen?

There is no single cause of postnatal anxiety. It is often a combination of factors, including:

• Hormonal changes after birth
• Lack of sleep or physical exhaustion
• Adjusting to a new role and responsibilities
• Previous experiences of anxiety or other mental health challenges
• Stressful life events or limited support
• A strong desire to “get everything right” as a parent

Anxiety is very common and affects one in four people in their lifetime. If you’ve experienced anxiety in the past, it is more likely to return or worsen during early parenthood. However, some people experience anxiety for the first time after the birth of their baby.

‍

When to seek support

If your worries feel constant, overwhelming, or are interfering with your ability to enjoy daily life or care for yourself or your baby, it may be time to seek support.

You are not alone, and you do not need to manage these feelings by yourself.

A number of physical health conditions can also present with anxiety-like symptoms, so it’s a good idea to consult with a GP to decide on whether medical or psychological treatment is best for you.

‍

Treatment and Support

Postnatal anxiety is highly treatable. With the right support, most parents recover well. Support may include:

• Psychological therapies, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Practical strategies to manage anxious thoughts and physical symptoms
• Emotional support from family, friends or a professional
• Lifestyle and self‑care strategies
• In some cases, medication may be recommended, where appropriate and prescribed by a medical professional

Connecting with others and accessing professional support can help you feel more confident and supported in your parenting journey.

‍

If you need urgent help

If you’re feeling unsafe or at risk of harming yourself or others:

• Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Call 000 in an emergency