Perfectly imperfect: Navigating new parenthood and perinatal mental health

Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood are times of life when many people are at their most vulnerable. One in five new mothers and one in 10 new fathers experience perinatal depression and anxiety. This means around 100,000 parents are having these experiences each year in Australia.  

In this podcast episode focused on Perinatal Mental Health Week, Amy Mathews shares her discoveries from her lived experience of perinatal mental health struggles and her subsequent work as a peer support worker.  Amy speaks about how social expectations, isolation and stigma can act as barriers for new parents and prevent them from having conversations about their perinatal mental health. Describing the strength of peer-supported recovery, Amy emphasises the importance of meeting people where they are at and holding space to share stories during this major life change.  

Amy also shares insights about the connection between being ‘perfectly imperfect’ as a parent and building children’s emotional awareness to show them that emotions are healthy part of being human.

In this episode you will learn about:

• how social expectations impact perinatal mental health during the transition to parenting [3:.08] 

• how stigma and isolation act as barriers that lead many parents to mask their perinatal struggles [5:33] 

• why it’s important to consider language and recognise how the ‘shoulds’ of parenting can influence anxiety and reduce parenting confidence [7:29] 

• the importance of peer–led or peer– supported recovery in the perinatal period [15:08] 

• how the ethic of being ‘perfectly imperfect” supports parental wellbeing and models to children emotional safety and acceptance. [16:58] 

• the power of meeting people where they are at, holding space and sharing stories in perinatal peer work [24:10]

Further information and resources:

Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness: An organisation providing peer-led support for parents experiencing emotional wellbeing challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood. 

ForWhen: A phoneline for parents experiencing or at risk of perinatal or infant mental health issues. 

Emerging Minds courses: 

These courses have been created for practitioners supporting parents in the transition to parenting. 

Replanting the Birthing Trees: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families during the child’s first year  

Keeping the infant and toddler in mind