Is it normal to feel sad or overwhelmed after giving birth?
Bringing a new baby into the world is often imagined as one of life’s most joyful experiences- but for many women, it also comes with unexpected waves of sadness, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
If you’ve recently given birth and are wondering, “Is it normal to feel this way?”—the answer is yes.
The Truth About the "Baby Blues"
In the days after birth, up to 80% of new mothers experience what's known as the baby blues. This is a very common and temporary emotional state brought on by the huge hormonal shifts that occur after childbirth, along with the physical recovery and the intense demands of caring for a newborn.
You might feel:
Teary for no clear reason
Irritable or restless
Overwhelmed by even small tasks
Prone to mood swings
Struggling to sleep—even when your baby is
These feelings usually begin within a few days postpartum and fade on their own within about two weeks.
But what happens if they don’t?
When It’s More Than the Baby Blues
If your feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, or disconnection don’t go away—or start to get worse—you might be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD) or another perinatal mood disorder.
This is not a sign that you're a bad mother. It’s not something you’ve done wrong. And you are not alone.
Symptoms of PPD may include:
Persistent sadness or frequent crying
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawal from loved ones
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
These are not just emotional struggles—they are real mental health conditions that deserve care and support.
You Deserve Support
If you're feeling low, anxious, or simply not yourself after giving birth, please know: you do not have to carry this alone.
Speaking to a GP, midwife, mental health professional, or postpartum doula can be a powerful first step. Trusted loved ones, peer support groups, and gentle routines can also make a big difference. You are worthy of being held, seen, and supported—just as much as your baby.
Remember This
The postpartum time is tender, raw, and deeply transformative. Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make you a failure—it makes you human. The identity shift of motherhood is big, so big it has its own term Matrescence, and it’s okay if joy and grief sit side by side.
If you’re reading this and nodding along, please reach out. Whether it’s to a friend, a therapist, or someone like me who walks beside women in the postpartum space—your feelings matter, and help is available.
You are doing an incredible job.
Need someone to talk to? I'm here to support you in your postpartum journey through 1:1 doula care, postpartum preparation, and sacred space holding. Learn more about how we can work together find out more about my Postpartum Doula Care here.
Professional Support Services for Postpartum Mental Health in Australia
1. PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
🧠 Specialty: Perinatal anxiety and depression support
📞 Helpline: 1300 726 306 (Mon–Sat)
🌐 panda.org.au
PANDA offers a free national helpline, mental health checklists, and resources for both new mums and their partners.
2. Beyond Blue – Pregnancy and New Parents
🧠 Specialty: General mental health and perinatal support
📞 Support Service: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
🌐 beyondblue.org.au
Beyond Blue provides tailored support for emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and after birth, plus an online forum for peer connection.
3. Gidget Foundation Australia
🧠 Specialty: Perinatal mental health, including counselling
📞 Contact: 1300 851 758
🌐 gidgetfoundation.org.au
Gidget provides free telehealth psychological counselling sessions with perinatal-trained professionals.
4. COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence)
🧠 Specialty: Awareness, screening, and pathways to care
🌐 cope.org.au
COPE offers trusted information for expecting and new parents, mental health screening tools, and a directory of perinatal professionals.
5. Karitane
🧠 Specialty: Parenting support and mental health services
📞 Careline: 1300 227 464
🌐 karitane.com.au
Karitane provides support for sleep, settling, and parenting, and also offers services for postnatal depression and anxiety.
6. Tresillian
🧠 Specialty: Early parenting support, mental health guidance
📞 Parenting Line: 1300 272 736
🌐 tresillian.org.au
Tresillian supports new parents with sleep, feeding, and emotional wellbeing concerns, with free nurse-led advice.
7. Local Maternal Child Health Nurses & GPs
Your maternal child health nurse or family doctor is often the first and most accessible place to talk openly about how you’re feeling. They can refer you to perinatal psychologists, social workers, and mental health support teams in your area.