Mental Health During & After Pregnancy

During pregnancy and the first year of your child’s life you might notice that your emotional health and well-being changes. It is a time when your body is experiencing changes in hormones, as well as changes to your relationships and life. These changes can affect your mental health. 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health disorder during this time.

The Baby Blues

In the first days after birth you may feel sad, teary, irritable, frustrated, tired, sleepy or moody. This is often called the baby blues. Changes to your hormones, demands of a new baby, and lack of sleep may cause these emotional changes. These feelings are a normal response to the birth of a new baby and usually go away on their own after 2 weeks.

Try to take care of yourself and get as much rest as possible. Sometimes the baby blues do not go away after 2 weeks. If you continue to have these feelings talk to your healthcare provider as you may have a perinatal mood disorder.

Perinatal Mood Disorders: Anxiety and Depression

Perinatal depression and anxiety are mood disorders that interfere with your daily life. Perinatal mood disorders can happen in pregnancy until 1 year after birth. Signs that you may have a perinatal mood disorder include:

Signs that you may have a perinatal mood disorder include:

If you are thinking of killing or hurting yourself or your baby, get help right away. Call 911, call COAST at 905-972-8338, call or text 988 for Suicide Crisis Helpline or go to a hospital emergency room.

It is okay to get help. There are free services and supports available in Hamilton. Most people get better with treatment. Getting help is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.

Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a rare disorder that usually begins 1-3 weeks after delivery.You may experience strange of scary thoughts, see mental pictures or hear messages that keep coming back. If this happens get help right away. Call 911, call COAST at 905-972-8338, call or text 988 for Suicide Crisis Helpline or go to a hospital emergency room.

Mental Health During and After Pregnancy

Supports & Resources

Where to get help

Taking care of your mental health

If you are thinking of killing or hurting yourself or your baby, get help right away. Call 911, call COAST at 905-972-8338, call or text 988 for Suicide Crisis Helpline or go to a hospital emergency room.

It is important to tell your health care provider if you are not feeling well and if you are worried about your mental health. Your health care provider may ask you some questions or use a mental health screening tool similar to a questionnaire. This will help them understand how you are feeling and how they could support you.

There are options for medical care, such as medications, available that may help your mood and help you feel better. Talk to your health care provider about options that may help you.

Ask your health care provider if they have any mental health or wellbeing supports that you can access. If you are already a patient of one of the following health care providers, they may have some services available:

Find out if your family doctor is part of the Hamilton Family Health Team.

Hamilton Postpartum Peer Support Group - Online peer support group, runs once a week
Program for Substance Use in Pregnancy (PROSPR) - Prenatal and substance use care program for pregnant people with substance use disorders, call 905-528-5552.
Women’s Health Concerns Clinic - Assessment, consultation and variety of therapy groups accessed through Connect or by calling 905-522-1155 x36499.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres for families and children from prenatal to 6 years old
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre - A variety of services for the Indigenous community including children and families from prenatal to new parent support
Home Visiting Programs for pregnant people and new parents call 905-546-3550
Welcome Baby Prenatal Nutrition Program - To learn about having a healthy pregnancy and taking care of your baby. You must join during your pregnancy. See locations and how to join.

OSP West
Postpartum Support International - Online Support Groups
Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario - Online Group Peer Support
Parents’ Coach Network - Perinatal mental health services. Free for refugees and newcomers on the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) within 28 days postpartum

Your guide to postpartum health and caring for your baby - General perinatal mental health
Coping with anxiety during pregnancy and following the birth - Workbook - A cognitive behaviour therapy-based self-management guide for women and health care providers
MindShift App via Anxiety Canada - App to help with anxiety
A Self-help Skills Resource for Parents Living with Depression During Pregnancy, After Delivery and Beyond - Managing Depression
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network (PAIL) Resources for Families - Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Pregnancy and New Parent Guide - Lists free services in Hamilton to support you and your family during pregnancy and after having a baby
Child Care Services in Hamilton - Learn about child care options, registry, programs and supports
Food Access Guide - Includes an inventory of programs and services in Hamilton which increase access to healthy foods
Red Book of Community Information by Hamilton Public Library - Provides up-to-date information about social services and community resources for people in Hamilton
211 Ontario - A helpline that can connect you to social services, programs and community supports: Call or Text 2-1-1.

It is important to take care of mental health before, during and after pregnancy, so that you can take care of your baby after they are born. Sometimes it can be hard to put yourself first and take care of your body and mind. Below are some things to try to take care of your mental health.

Nutrition

Eat a variety of healthy foods. For more information on healthy eating during pregnancy see Having a Healthy Pregnancy
Eat small meals often even if you don’t feel hungry.
Drink water. Keep a cup or water bottle with you to help remind you to drink water.

Exercise or Physical Activity

Be active. For more information on physical activity during pregnancy, see Having a Healthy Pregnancy
Pick an activity that works for you.
Try starting with 5 minutes of activity a day. If you have time and feel like you can keep going, add more if you can.

Sleep and Rest

During pregnancy, try using pillows to help you get in a position that is comfortable for sleeping.
Try to sleep when baby sleeps.
Ask for help with your baby or some chores so you can take a nap or get to bed a bit earlier.

Time for Self

Take time to relax. Do something that makes you happy.
It is okay to do less. Cut back on your list of chores or ask for help.
Try mindfulness, gratitude, breathing exercises or activities you enjoy to help you cope with stress.

Support from Others

Accept help from others. Family or friends can help with meals, housework and childcare.
Talk about your feelings with someone you trust.
Build a support network by joining a group with other parents, such as:
- During your pregnancy you can try the Welcome Baby Prenatal Nutrition Group
- After having your baby try the Hamilton Postpartum Peer Support group, or visit an EarlyON Child and Family Centre to meet other parents.

New parent or partner

If you are a new parent, including a partner of someone who gave birth, or an adoptive parent, you may also be affected by a perinatal mood disorder such as depression or anxiety. Mental health disorders affect 1 in 10 partners of people who are pregnant or had a baby in the last year.

If you are a partner or new parent, you may also go through many changes during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby. This can be a change in your role, relationships and problems with money. For example, you may be asked to help out more, or could feel ignored as the focus is often on the baby and person who gave birth.

You may also be concerned about your partner’s mental health and unsure how to help. This can affect your health and mental health. It is important to take care of yourself and ask for help if you need it.

Signs of perinatal mood disorders in partners

If you are thinking of killing or hurting yourself or your baby, get help right away. Call 911, call COAST at 905-972-8338, call or text 988 for Suicide Crisis Helpline or go to a hospital emergency room.

It is important to tell your health care provider if you are not feeling well and if you are worried about your mental health.

Mental health information for partners

For information specific to mental health of fathers, including more symptoms of perinatal mood disorders in fathers visit FMHN – Fathers' Mental Health Network. For consultation and treatment services a completed referral form is required.

Supporting your partner, family member or friend

If you are a partner, friend or family member of someone who may be affected by a perinatal mood disorder such as depression or anxiety, try giving support and encouraging them to get help and then work with them on their treatment plan. Talk to the person experiencing a perinatal mood disorder about how you can help. Ask and listen to what would be helpful to them.

Some ideas for how to help include:

Listen to them. Do not judge or blame.
Reassure them that they will get better and that it may take time.
Help with some housework.
Give them a break from taking care of the baby and/or other children. Try taking them out for a walk.
Accept help from family or friends.
Ask your doctor or health care provider to help find support.
Learn about perinatal mood disorders.

Date modified

November 14, 2024