It’s completely understandable to feel concerned about how the coronavirus will affect your own health as well as that of your baby, your wider family and other loved ones. Medical, scientific and public health experts in countries right across the globe are working extremely hard to find ways to treat those affected by the virus and contain its spread. Because the virus is new we do not have a lot of information on the way pregnant, new parents, and babies might be impacted, however this is the information we do have.
PANDA has recently published a resource for expecting and new parents who are worried or experiencing symptoms of anxiety related to the coronavirus and other global crises and disasters. This contains tips and advice compiled by PANDA’s team over many years drawing on evidence-based research and the experience of our callers and others who have accessed PANDA’s services.
We also have a number of other expert resources for all those on the parenting journey. Find them here.
At times like this it can be especially hard as an expecting or new parent to know what emotions and experiences are normal and which ones should give you cause for additional concern. PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist for Expecting and New Parents is a free, anonymous online tool that asks questions about your thoughts and feelings and will give an indication of whether your experiences could be a reason to seek help.
PANDA’s Checklist is accessible and user friendly and its content was created with direct input from people who experienced mental health difficulties as expecting or new parents, as well as experts in perinatal mental illness from PANDA’s counselling and research teams.
The Checklist asks questions about changes you may have noticed since starting the journey to becoming a parent – in your body and behaviour; in your thoughts and feelings; and in your relationships.