New app to help Aussie mums-to-be facing hidden battle
IT should be the most exciting time of a woman’s life, planning for her new baby. But every year, at least 40,000 women find themselves suffering in silence.
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EXCLUSIVE
IT should be the most exciting time of a parent-to-be’s life; planning for the arrival of their new baby. But every year in Australia 40,000 pregnant women, or 1 in 10, are struggling with peri-natal depression during pregnancy and the first month of their baby’s life.
For many it is swept under the rug as mood swings and normal hormones during gestation rather than an issue they require help and support with.
From today, News Corp Australia can reveal a new government-backed free online resource and mobile app will be launched to help mums-to-be and new mums fight against the peri-natal black dog and learn skills on how to best cope when their babies arrive.
MumSpace will offer free access to evidence-based mental health support tools, apps, helplines and resources.
The MindMum mobile app will help mums track their mood, calm themselves with guided relaxation and plan enjoyable activities, learning strategies to improve their relationships and build confidence in parenting while on the go.
And a self-directed cognitive behavioural therapy treatment program for new mums and mums to be — MumMoodBooster and Mum2BMoodBooster — for women with, or at risk of, peri-natal depression will also be provided free of charge online.
The program will send motivational SMS messages and advise participants when they should seek further help from their doctor.
The suite of initiatives will be the first of its kind designed to help pregnant women manage their mental health during the peri-natal period.
Experts say treating and developing skills to deal with depression and anxiety before a baby arrives will help prevent the onset of post-natal depression.
The Turnbull Government has invested $800,000 to support the delivery of MumMoodBooster, and the development of MumSpace and MindMum.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the new app and online resource would be an invaluable source of guidance for pregnant women.
“We know that some women find it hard to seek help for peri-natal depression, especially in rural and remote areas and we hope these new tools provide that opportunity,” Mr Hunt told News Corp Australia.
“Australia is a world leader in using technology and digital solutions to improve mental health.”
AMA President Michael Gannon welcomed the new initiative and said the investment in a free cognitive behavioural therapy service was particularly heartening.
“It’s not all about medication. So many other things can be done to help other than medication,” he said.
“The truth is all health professionals should be screening for depression in every antenatal visit.”
Jeannette Milgrom, Director of the Parent-Infant Research Institute who helped develop MumSpace and the other digital resources said if depression in pregnancy was caught early it could prevent the development of post natal depression.
“Having a resource like this helps to destigmatise it and for some women it may help break the ice to talk to their health professionals.”
MUMS-TO-BE HAVE THEIR SAY
SYDNEY
Jill Bentley, 34, is expecting her first baby any day now.
The Manly-based mum said the physical and mental changes she has experienced during pregnancy have been enormous and there have definitely been times over the past nine months she’s not felt herself.
“There have been times where I have been really emotional and I think back and know I wouldn’t have reacted to things in a particular way if I wasn’t going through all of this,” she said.
Ms Bentley said the new MumSpace resource would be much more helpful than “turning to Dr Google”.
“To have something like this which is expert resources and tips really will be such a big help,” she said.
“Especially at no cost and hopefully it will help prevent things like post-natal depression for people at risk of that.”
MELBOURNE
Katie Quirk, 31, is 26-weeks pregnant with her first child — a little girl.
The Hawthorn resident can’t wait to meet her growing bundle of joy but knows there may be challenges ahead.
“I have definitely had my grey days in this pregnancy. I have struggled with anxiety and have had experiences with depression in the past,” she said.
Ms Quirk said it was important to recognise pregnancy wasn’t always an easy ride for everyone.
“There is a stigma attached to pregnancy that it’s meant to be all happy and wonderful but there are a lot of women out there who don’t feel that way,” she said.
“Something like MumSpace I think will be a really fantastic resource and I can’t wait to use it.
“I think it will be really great for people who might not feel comfortable accessing traditional therapies or don’t have the resources to.”
ADELAIDE
Rachel Hamper, 36, is 33 weeks pregnant with her second child.
The Largs Bay mum to Xavier, 2, has suffered from hypermedia gravidarum, the same debilitating condition that Kate Middleton has experienced during her pregnancies which results in extreme morning sickness.
Ms Hamper said having an online resource like MumSpace and the various other digital offerings would be such an improvement on having to rely on Google or unsourced advice on blogs.
“Most pregnant women hang out on Google too much. There are lots of resources but a lot of them are blog based and are not the best source of information. It’s really the blind leading the blind,” she said.
“I think having a site and app and resource like this with input from experts could be a lot more helpful. Having a one-stop place to get real advice and tips will be such a relief.”
BRISBANE
Natalie Clarke, 33, is 30 weeks pregnant with twins and said there have been down times during her pregnancy journey.
Ms Clarke lost her mother a few years ago and has struggled with not having her around to provide tips and guidance through one of the most important times of her life.
“There have been a few nights where I’ve been quite upset and that’s been really hard,” Ms Clarke said.
“Being pregnant is so wonderful but sometimes it is a lot emotionally.”
Ms Clarke said there wasn’t a lot of discussion about peri-natal depression prior to her falling pregnant and a resource like MumSpace would be “amazing”.
“There is a lot of talk about physical wellbeing during pregnancy and not a lot of focus on the mental side when pregnant. People can forget that sometimes being pregnant can be quite a lonely experience,” she said.
“I’m definitely keen to check these resources out, I think they will be amazing.”
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PERI-NATAL, ANTENATAL AND POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
1. Be kind to yourself. Becoming a mother involves lots of physical and emotional changes. Adjusting to the changes and learning what you need to know take time.
2. Try to stay healthy and rested — exercising, getting out, trying to get enough sleep, and finding regular ways to manage stress are all important.
3. Tell a trusted person close to you how you are feeling and connect with others. Remember that feelings of depression and anxiety are extremely common in pregnancy and early parenthood.
4. Get as much information as you can and know that asking for and accepting help is a strength.
5. If you need to, make an appointment with your doctor or other trusted health professional.
STATS
In Australia just over 300,000 women give birth each year.
The prevalence of major or minor depression is around 10 per cent at each trimester of pregnancy.
Most cases are never identified or treated.
Around 85 per cent of women experience the transitory ‘post-natal blues’ or ’baby blues’ for a few days.
For more information visit: www.mumspace.com.au