Dr Nicole Highet on mental health challenges from conception to pregnancy – Part 1 episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 17, 2026 · 24 MIN

Dr Nicole Highet on mental health challenges from conception to pregnancy – Part 1

from Parenthood

Before the baby arrives… there’s often a whole invisible chapter no one talks about. In this episode, I sit down with a psychologist to unpack the mental health challenges that can show up before birth — infertility, prenatal anxiety, depression during pregnancy… and the quiet shame that can sit alongside it all. Because you can be deeply grateful…and deeply struggling. We talk about:• The emotional toll of trying to conceive• Anxiety that doesn’t magically disappear once you’re pregnant• Why prenatal depression is more common than we realise• How to get support early (without feeling dramatic) If this season of life felt heavier than it “should have”, this conversation is for you 🤍 You are not failing. You are human. A big thank you to our episode sponsors Tommee Tippee. Find Tommee Tippee at:Instagram @tommeetippeeaustraliahttps://www.tommeetippee.com/en-au/ Find Cope at:Instagram @cope.org.auhttps://www.cope.org.au/Ready to Cope guide https://www.cope.org.au/ready-to-copeSelf-checks https://www.cope.org.au/depression-anxiety-and-stress-self-checks  Find Parenthood at:Follow Parenthood on Instagram @parenthoodpod ShareWe’d love it if you could share this episode with a friend! Parenthood Podcast acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of theland on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection toland, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before the baby arrives… there’s often a whole invisible chapter no one talks about. In this episode, I sit down with a psychologist to unpack the mental health challenges that can show up before birth — infertility, prenatal anxiety, depression during pregnancy… and the quiet shame that can sit alongside it all. Because you can be deeply grateful…and deeply struggling. We talk about:• The emotional toll of trying to conceive• Anxiety that doesn’t magically disappear once you’re pregnant• Why prenatal depression is more common than we realise• How to get support early (without feeling dramatic) If this season of life felt heavier than it “should have”, this conversation is for you 🤍 You are not failing. You are human. A big thank you to our episode sponsors Tommee Tippee. Find Tommee Tippee at:Instagram @tommeetippeeaustraliahttps://www.tommeetippee.com/en-au/ Find Cope at:Instagram @cope.org.auhttps://www.cope.org.au/Ready to Cope guide https://www.cope.org.au/ready-to-copeSelf-checks https://www.cope.org.au/depression-anxiety-and-stress-self-checks  Find Parenthood at:Follow Parenthood on Instagram @parenthoodpod ShareWe’d love it if you could share this episode with a friend! Parenthood Podcast acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of theland on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection toland, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Dr Nicole Highet on mental health challenges from conception to pregnancy – Part 1

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This episode is 24 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 17, 2026.

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Before the baby arrives… there’s often a whole invisible chapter no one talks about. In this episode, I sit down with a psychologist to unpack the mental health challenges that can show up before birth — infertility, prenatal anxiety, depression...

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