Pregnancy and parenthood can be an exciting time for any family, but they can also be challenging periods of change and adjustment. The Parent and Baby Wellbeing Program is designed to assist parents and parents-to-be during this transition, as well as those who have experienced pregnancy loss.
Delivered by the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) at Austin Health, this program offers eligible Bupa Health Insurance customers*:
Confidential consultations for you and your partner
Personalised, psychologist-led care for expecting and new parents
Face-to-face and over the phone appointments available
What does the program provide?
Up to 1 in 5 women may experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both during pregnancy and/or following birth1. And 1 in 10 expecting or new fathers will also experience depression and/or anxiety during the perinatal period2.
If you are expecting or have recently had a baby, you may benefit from help adjusting to this significant change. The Parent and Baby Wellbeing program offers mental health support for expecting or new parents, as well as those who have experienced pregnancy loss.
Participants in this program might be experiencing difficulties adjusting to pregnancy and parenthood, as well as low mood, anxiety, and other mental health problems during this time.
Why choose the Parent and Baby Wellbeing program?
- Confidential consultations, advice, and support delivered face-to-face, over the phone, or via video call (consultation sessions are capped)~
- Quality, evidence-based care from a leading treatment and research centre for parent and infant wellbeing
- Assessment with a perinatal psychologist to determine the right care for you/your partner
- Support for individuals or couples experiencing anxiety and/or depression
- Treatment for a range of circumstances, including not feeling bonded to your baby, coping with a premature birth or loss of a baby
- Group sessions may be offered for perinatal mental health concerns (where available)
- No out-of-pocket expenses# for eligible Bupa Health Insurance customers*
Program eligibility
If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to take part in this program:
- You are a Bupa Health Insurance customer with any level of domestic hospital cover – check what you’re covered for or contact us
- You or your partner are expecting a baby, are the parents of a child under two years old, or have experienced pregnancy loss
Program eligibility, fund, policy and waiting period rules also apply.
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about the program, or whether you are eligible, please contact PIRI on 1300 360 913, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, email pbwp@austin.org.au or visit the PIRI website.
Please note: This is NOT a crisis service. If urgent emergency care is required, please call 000, Lifeline 13 11 14 or contact your local crisis assessment and treatment team.
Disclaimer
*The customer must hold a Bupa Health Insurance domestic hospital cover. Out-of-pocket costs may apply. Waiting periods, fund, policy and program eligibility rules apply. The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) at Austin Health is the provider of the program and admission into the program is also subject to their terms and conditions. Contact PIRI or call Bupa Telehealth on 1300 030 238 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST/AEDT).
~Consultations are capped at 18 x 50-minute sessions for first participation and 6 x 50-minute sessions for subsequent pregnancies.
#Depending on your level of cover some out-of-pocket costs may apply, like hospital excess or co-payments, fees for medical tests or specialist consultations not covered by bulk billing, and medication. Additional expenses such as having a compatible smart device and reliable phone and internet connection also apply for virtually delivered care.
Bupa Health Insurance will fund eligible customers in accordance with their policy issued by Bupa Health Insurance Pty Ltd. To avoid doubt, Bupa Telehealth Pty Ltd and Bupa Health Centres Pty Ltd are not involved in the design and delivery of the program.
This program page provides resources and health information as a guide only, not as a substitute for medical advice or a professional endorsement. In a health emergency, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
References
1Royal College of Psychiatrists. 2018. Mental health in pregnancy. Available from: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/mental-health-in-pregnancy
2Rodrigues, A. L., Ericksen, J., Watson, B., Gemmill, A. W., & Milgrom, J. (2022). Interventions for perinatal depression and anxiety in fathers: A mini-review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 744921.