How new Qld mums really feel about parenting and looking after babies

New research has highlighted the importance of raising awareness for the wellbeing of new parents, with Queensland mums opening up about their experiences. FULL REPORT

More than 80 per cent of new mums in Queensland feel disconnected from their loved ones and even their babies, while more than a third said they found parenting more challenging than they expected, according to new research.

A survey has found that 81 per cent of new mums in Queensland said they felt more disconnected from their family and friends while 80 per cent said they felt withdrawn or distant from their partners, according to leading national mental health organisation Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Awareness (PANDA).

Meanwhile, 38 per cent of Queensland parents said parenthood was more challenging than they initially thought, according to research from Gidget Foundation Australia.

With November 6 marking the beginning of Perinatal Mental Health Week, organisations are working to raise funds and awareness for parents who are struggling post birth.

Gold Coast mum Tracey Tyley said having a baby was a beautiful moment, but at times it was equally as tough.

“I think people sometimes think of that picture-perfect moment of what you see in the media and movies, but the reality of it for many of us is not that at all,” she said.

Ms Tyley said she struggled with anxiety and bouts of depression after the birth of each of her three children, but everything came to a head with her third and final baby.

“I think I reached a bit of a breaking point … it was my toughest experience and I really reached some dark thoughts,” she said.

“After having a big panic attack I realised I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed proper help.”

After speaking with Gidget Foundation Australia, as well as a psychologist and other mums who were going through similar situations, Ms Tyley said things started to become easier.

Lauren Fisher and her wife Alex with their two children. Picture: Supplied.

Meanwhile, Brisbane mum Lauren Fisher, who went through IVF, said she also experienced both anxiety and depression following the birth of both her children which had her struggling to leave the house at times.

“I carried a huge amount of guilt for this as we’d wanted these babies so desperately and spent the equivalent of a house deposit on IVF to make them,” she said.

“It made it very hard to share how I was feeling because I felt so ashamed for not loving every minute.”

She said that after reaching out to the PANDA helpline, she was given a strong support system to help her navigate the “overwhelming” process.

It comes as Gidget Foundation Australia welcomes a $26.2m federal government investment to open 12 new perinatal mental health centres over the next four years.