A new Beyond Blue analysis has found many parents are reluctant to have an open conversation about their feelings and instead seek answers online to questions they're too afraid to ask aloud.
Both women and men can experience perinatal depression and anxiety, with risks increasing during pregnancy and the 12 months following birth.
Each year one in ten women will experience depression during pregnancy, one in six women will experience postnatal depression and anxiety – and one in ten fathers will experience postnatal depression.
Beyond Blue analysed current global Google data for terms that may indicate signs of anxiety and depression during the perinatal period.
- "I don't love my baby" was searched 3,840 times last year
- "Am I a bad mother?" was searched 3,800 times last year
- "I hate being pregnant" was searched 15,600 times last year
- "Does my baby love me?" was searched 4,680 times last year
- "I feel alone in my pregnancy" was searched 2,040 times last year
Beyond Blue Clinical Adviser Dr Grant Blashki said many new parents may not recognise that they are experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression, or that there is help available.
"Many parents navigate the journey alone, believing symptoms are just part of being a new parent, but it's important to recognise when feelings affect day-to-day life," Dr Blashki said.
