Perinatal Mood Disorders | Region of Durham

Steps to Wellness Before and After Baby

Steps to Wellness Before and After Baby is a free virtual group program that provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for pregnant and postpartum individuals experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

Learn more about Steps to Wellness Before and After Baby

During pregnancy, or the first year of your baby's life, you may experience changes in your mood. As many as one in five women will develop symptoms of depression and/or anxiety during this time.

What is perinatal mood disorder?

Symptoms of depression and/or anxiety which leave you feeling unable to cope or care for yourself or baby.
Symptoms can vary greatly and range from mild to severe.
It can affect anyone.
New dads/partners may have some of these feelings too and require support.
Family members may be the first to notice symptoms.

You may be more at risk if you have:

history of depression or anxiety
family history of depression
recent stressful life events
lack of social support
are a newcomer to Canada

What are the symptoms?

If you are pregnant or are a new parent and have concerns about any of the following, you may have a perinatal mood disorder.

very tired
sad
anxious/worried
scared
guilty
angry
like a failure
like you are going crazy

sleeping/eating
concentrating
enjoying time with your baby
relaxing with family or friends
coping with day to day tasks
dealing with scary thoughts/dreams

You are not alone. It is not your fault. Help is available. It does get better.

Getting help

If your feelings last more than two weeks, talk to your doctor or health care provider.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, get help right away.

Call 911.
Go to your local hospital.
Call the Crisis Access Linkage Line (CALL) at 1-800-742-1890.

Additional supports

Steps to Wellness Before and After Baby is a free virtual group program that provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for pregnant and postpartum individuals experiencing depression and/or anxiety. Learn more about Steps to Wellness Before and After Baby.

Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) is a home-based visiting program for families. Families that qualify are paired with a public health nurse and family visitor. Anyone can self-refer for this service. Learn more about the HBHC program.

Perinatal mental health supports
Community Resources for Pregnant and Parenting Families
If someone you know needs help, there are ways you can support them.