Some stress and anxiety is common during pregnancy. When either become more severe and start to affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviour, it's important to seek help. The challenges or changes during and after pregnancy can increase the risk of stress and anxiety. 1 in 5 mothers experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum.… Continue reading Coping with stress and anxiety during & after pregnancy
Tag: Postpartum
Are you ready to start exercising after having your baby?
Do you think of exercise and immediately picture a fitness centre with complicated machines and impossibly hard, high tempo exercise classes? This can be scary for anyone, let alone a new parent who is isn’t sleeping well and adjusting to life with a new baby. Exercise doesn't have to be difficult, it can be built… Continue reading Are you ready to start exercising after having your baby?
Maternal mental health matters!
What if I were to tell you there is a medical complication that affects 1 in 5 parents postpartum? That it affects fathers, too? And the biggest risk factor, is if you have already experienced it! The complication I'm referring to is perinatal mood disorders, more commonly known as depression and anxiety that can occur… Continue reading Maternal mental health matters!
Does having a postpartum mood disorder affect my child?
Ever wonder if babies and older children know their parent is feeling depressed or anxious? Having a postpartum mood disorder affects not only one parent, but the whole family. Children are able to notice when a parent is acting differently by picking up on changes in routine and everyday behavior. These changes could be: looking… Continue reading Does having a postpartum mood disorder affect my child?
Sex after a baby?
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! New parents have a lot on their minds. Taking care of a new baby can be overwhelming with the new responsibilities, hormone changes and feeling exhausted. These changes can all affect your emotions and your relationships. Here's Nancy McAlary, our Sexual Health Nurse, to answer the question that… Continue reading Sex after a baby?
Does what you eat affect how you feel?
After your little one has arrived it can be hard to find the time to go to the bathroom, let alone cook! Let's get creative with ways to feed ourselves. 5 Tips to use food to help stabilize your mood: Eat every 3-4 hours This is necessary because our brain NEEDS energy to function properly.… Continue reading Does what you eat affect how you feel?
Infant feeding and my mental health
Becoming a new parent is a major life change that is certain to come with rewards and a few learning curves along the way. For those who are vulnerable to postpartum mood disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.) support from friends, family and the community are all important in helping a new parent feel confident in this… Continue reading Infant feeding and my mental health
How a difficult birth can affect your mood
As a Public Health Nurse, I have met many people who have ideas on how they would like the birth of their baby to play out…anything from a natural drug-free birth, a vaginal birth, to a planned c-section. Yes, it's okay to have a birth plan, however, all too often these hopes and ideas don’t go… Continue reading How a difficult birth can affect your mood
Postpartum depression – Will it happen to me?
Is it possible to beat postpartum depression? As a Public Health Nurse, I support women struggling with emotional health issues such as depression and anxiety. Imagine that you are pregnant and experiencing mixed feelings. Part of you is happy, while the other part is feeling unsure. You've always wanted a baby but you are concerned… Continue reading Postpartum depression – Will it happen to me?