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Perinatal Psychiatry

Perinatal Psychiatrists in Sydney

Having a baby is a big life event – it is natural to experience a range of emotions during and after your pregnancy. However, there are a number of mental health conditions unique to the perinatal period where it’s important to seek professional help. These include:

  • Depression - After childbirth, it's typical to experience the "Baby Blues," characterized by feelings of sadness, tears, or irritability. However, if these symptoms persist beyond two weeks, they may indicate a more severe condition

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  • Anxiety disorders – antenatal or postnatal anxiety 

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  • Postpartum psychosis – occurring in 1-2 in 1,000 mothers, this is a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate medical attention. This psychiatric emergency, occurring in 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 mothers, demands immediate medical intervention.

Throughout the journey from preconception to pregnancy and the postnatal period, our perinatal psychiatrists provide comprehensive support to women as they navigate the challenges of motherhood. Understanding that past traumas may resurface during this time, our perinatal psychiatrists offers compassionate guidance, helping mothers build strong bonds with their babies while addressing any emotional hurdles that may arise.

Serious Mental Illness and Pregnancy

 

In the perinatal period, women with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) such as schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, and schizoaffective disorder experience unique challenges. These include an elevated risk of psychiatric relapse, pregnancy and birth complications, and an amplified need for support in parenting.

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Perinatal psychiatrists at Blue Fig Clinic, provide comprehensive support to women with SMIs from the pre-conception stage onwards. Their mission is to empower these women to have healthy pregnancies and births, fostering strong and nurturing relationships with their babies.
 

Medication during pregnancy and postnatal period

 

Some medications can be prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, while others cannot - our psychiatrist will make sure your medication types and dosages are safe for you and your baby.

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Infant Mental Health

 

From the moment a child is born, their brain begins to form neural connections at an astonishing rate, more than a million every second! Scientists are still unravelling how these early life experiences shape a baby's brain development.

 

Infant mental health is a crucial area that focuses on fostering the building blocks for healthy development in infants from birth to three years of age.

 

The perinatal psychiatrists at Blue Fig Clinic are dedicated to creating trusting and caring first relationships for babies, ensuring that they grow into children who:

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  • Possess the ability to manage and regulate their own emotions effectively.

  • Capable of forming deep and meaningful interpersonal relationships with others.

  • Demonstrate a natural curiosity and openness to exploring and learning about the environment around them.​

Perinatal Psychiatry at Blue Fig Clinic

At our clinic, women with mental health concerns receive comprehensive evaluation and intervention services throughout their pregnancy and up to two years postpartum. This encompasses:

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  • Pre-conception advice: ror women who are concerned about how pregnancy might affect their mental health.

  • Antenatal review: Assessment and ongoing support are essential to ensure that psychiatric medication is administered at a safe dose for both mother and baby.

  • Maternal health and the family: Addressing the impact of the mother's illness on the entire family.

  • Parent-child attachment issues: The emphasis is on strengthening the bond between primary caregivers and their babies.

Psychiatrists specialising in this area

Dr Sangeetha Makielan

Adult and Child Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist

  • Open for referrals for short-, medium- and long-term Psychotherapy

  • Open for referrals for ongoing psychiatric treatment and management.

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