Human pregnancy is a remarkably dynamic period of growth and development posing significant physical and psychological challenges for women and their partners (Duncan & Bardacke, 2010). Therefore, the challenge for perinatal programs is to not only prepare couples for the physical realities of childbirth, but also sensitise them for their transition to parenthood and all it entails (Polomeno, 2000). A lack of emotional preparation for couples entering parenthood has been proven to have significant negative impact on the satisfaction of couple relationships, postnatal depression, and parent-infant connection (Pirak, 2014). With perinatal mental illness statistics indicating 17% of mothers and 10% of fathers will be affected after the birth of their child (PANDA, 2012), the need for focused education on emotional preparation for parents during this important life stage is critical.

Despite being identified as important, commonly emotional and health needs during the perinatal period remain focused on mothers, while fathers and partners needs remain unrecognised or are not considered (as) important. Parker & Hunter (2011) report the key factors affecting couples and their relationship satisfaction during the perinatal period – which we at Peach Tree define as pre-conception to two years of age - are many and varied:
- gender and gender roles
- division of labour and perceptions of fairness
- socioeconomic status
- parental expectations
- sleep disturbances
- relationship factors
- child factors
Fathers and partners play a crucial role during this time specifically in their ability to assist in the recovery process for mothers, build resiliency in infants, manage the increased burden of care they may experience, or conversely, their influence or contribution to maternal distress and illness (PANDA Report, 2012). With such high psychological impact on mothers and fathers, it is not surprising the prevalence and economic impact of perinatal mental illness in Australia continues to increase. A recent report by BeyondBlue (2014) estimated if new parents in 2012 went untreated for perinatal depression and anxiety, these conditions would likely extend beyond the first 12 months following birth. In addition, costs driven by hospital and primary service usage, and other medical costs such as pharmaceuticals, estimate treatment of mothers could be up to $70 million in one year, $91 million over 10 years, and $103 million over 20 years.

With disorders of the perinatal period among the most preventable and treatable of all mental illness (Oates 2000; Salmon et al 2003), Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness is committed to providing education and support to mothers and families to ensure preventative measures and early detection of perinatal mental illness are realised. Interestingly, research conducted by Shaprio and Gottman (2005) indicates just two wellbeing classes for couples before birth, focusing on a) strengthening couple relationships and preparation for conflict; b) facilitating father involvement in the family; and c) provision of infant psychological development information and general parenting tips, helped reduce the incidence of postnatal mental illness by up to 60%. With such empowering evidence at its foundation, Peach Tree has devised the educational “PEPP Talk” concept (Preparing Emotionally for the Perinatal Period) in both ante and post natal support of new parents and the realities they each face in their emotional transition to parenthood.

“Broadening the base of perinatal education involves modifying current programs to include knowledge about the transition to parenthood, relational skills such as communication and emotional support, family health promotion, and enrichment of marital intimacy and sexuality.”
- Viola Polomeno (2000)

Workshop Aim:

To introduce and walk through Peach Tree’s PEPP Talk concept, providing an overview of current research and inviting workshop attendees to discuss the changing landscape of perinatal education. Existing challenges in emotional preparation for parenthood will be explored, and the impact such challenges present to the perinatal wellness of families in Australia. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear “lived experience “stories from PEPP Talk creators, Viv and Rani, and engage in an example of the activities asked of participating parents. Peach Tree’s overall goal is for delegates to gain a) insight into the emotional transition realities for new parents during the perinatal period, and b) understanding of the emotional preparation requirements of couples during their transition to parenthood.

Workshop overview:

Our workshop outline is as follows:
1. Introduction & Overview
2. Brief Background & Summary of Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness
3. Personal Accounts of Perinatal Mental Illness
4. Recent research and findings that reinforce why the current landscape of Perinatal Mental Health needs to change.
5. Introduction of PEPP Talk and Parenting Partner concepts, including discussion and workshop activities about:
a. Couple relationship quality and communication tools
b. Parent psychopathology
c. Father Involvement
d. Parent-Infant relationship
e. Infant development and temperament
f. Creating the Village
6. Special showing of documentary “Because Parenthood Isn’t Always Peachy” with follow up comments and discussion.
7. Q & A Time