“Mind the Bump” Useful Resources for Enhancing Wellbeing During and After Pregnancy
Pregnancy has a profound effect on your body and is responsible for a number of changes physically, though many women are surprised at the changes they face emotionally during this time in their life.
“Mind the Bump” is the first mental health related pregnancy app in the world designed to support women and their partners during and after pregnancy. The app was designed collaboratively by Beyond Blue and Smiling Mind; two not-for-profit organisations dedicated to improving mental health and well-being.
The free app features short, guided Mindfulness Meditation activities that help expectant mother’s reduce stress and better manage change. The tailored exercises to support your mental and emotional well-being can begin from day one of pregnancy, with different stages in the app guiding you right through until your little one is 24 months old.
We know that at least one in seven women experience postnatal depression, and up to one in 10 experience depression during pregnancy, with anxiety conditions also rising during this time.
Even those who do not experience mental health problems during the antenatal or postnatal period still relate to increased feelings of uncertainty and fear.
The beauty of the app is that it can be used as much or as little as you like, and it is easily accessed from your smartphone in times of need – whether that comes with juggling the demands of a busy lifestyle on a changing body or dealing with the stress of a fussy baby – the app can help you manage your emotions, clear the mind and reduce the risk of developing a mental illness.
We find many women benefit hugely from the support of other expectant or new mums during this time in their life and our Beautiful Bumps and Mum’s & Bubs classes provide a great opportunity to build these connections. It is also an opportunity for regular contact with a health professional and we can provide ongoing advice and recommendations about the right care for you – whether that be organising an appointment with your GP, psychologist, or local perinatal mental health team.
We encourage all of our pregnant and postnatal women to give the app a go – it is a wonderful tool to help you get through this exciting but often challenging time in your life!
https://www.mindthebump.org.au/
New and expecting parents who need urgent support should contact the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PaNDa) helpline on 1300 726 306 between 10 and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, you can call Beyond Blue’s Support Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1300 22 4636. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Kate Phillips, myPhysioSA for Her Clinical Director and Women’s Health Physiotherapist
