When a female goes through the process of giving birth and taking care of a newborn, there are many emotions they go through, and one of them is depression.

But, what many people do not understand is that males can go through their own problems during this time as well.

Male postnatal depression might not be as common as the female equivalent, but it definitely exists in society and effects many new fathers in all walks of life.

The main reason for males to go through this stage of depression is due to the fact that they often find it hard to express their emotions and to talk about their problems.

This often leads to a feeling of isolation and eventually can leave men questioning if they are ready to have a child, and even capable of raising it properly.

In some cases, the depression is triggered after the mother goes through her own battle with depression.

In these situations, the father feels that he has so much to cope with and can begin to feel overwhelmed with the situation he has just found himself in.

This depression has been known to lead to a break up of relationships, and the end of marriages.

The general symptoms associate with male postnatal depression includes feelings of isolation and mood swings.

There may also be work related problems, substance abuse, lack of energy, loss of sex drive, difficulty in concentrating, headaches, anxiety attacks, lethargy, stomach pains and loss of motivation in life.

If these symptoms to appear in anyone you know, or yourself personally, it is important you get in touch with someone who can help and to remember that it is very normal to have feelings of depression, especially after becoming a parent.

When it gets to the latter stages of pregnancy, you start looking for all of your baby materials such as a cot, a bassinet, tall boy and everything need for your baby’s comfort and arrival.

You may need to find a bigger or better house for the baby or you may need to buy all the necessary decor that goes with it.

First thing first you should get the baby’s room ready so that from the first day, your baby can feel plenty of comfort and at home.

Cots, tallboys and change tables are generally expensive and you could be looking at around $1000 for the three of them if you’re lucky. That would be the average price because cots alone cost around $300 to $800.

Then there is the car seat or car basket which also adds another $300 onto your expense sheet. And of course you’ve got to get ready for when the baby’s born. So you need clothes, dummies, milk bottles and all the little necessities including nappies from day one.

So how can you afford all of this you might be thinking? Work could be limited and you need help. Well at least their is the baby bonus which is $5000 from the government in Australia and if you have support from your parents, that of course makes things a lot easier.

Baby’s are expensive. And that is why it goes through a lot of expecting mums’ minds if they are making the right decision – particularly if they’re not working and don’t have savings at the time.

IT’S that dreaded feeling that you never thought would happen; your girlfriend or partner telling you that she is pregnant.

The shock will soon kick in and so will the uncertainty surrounding so many things that you looked forward to doing in the short term and the long term.

Everything is now affected whether that be your career, your work, your travel plans, your wedding plans – and anything that you feel that you want to achieve before you reach the stage of having children.

But it must be clear that your emotions are only half of the ones floating around in your partners’ head.

She will be feeling all of the above – plus the fear of physical change to the body. She may even feel shame of this happening depending upon the age she is or what culture she is from.

The best thing you can do is to support her through he fragile state. At the same time, you must also think over the coming months – ways to help support her not only mentally but also financially as you will become – if you’re not already – the main breadwinner.

When pregnant, women’s hormones can become much more energetic meaning that mood swings are more prominent.

This can have a great affect on the relationship because you may see your partner happy for most of the day and then she may have a burst of emotion and tears.

It is also important to stay close during the pregnancy – and having sex is part of this. However, you must respect your partners’ feelings if she is not feeling like it and more than likely sex will become an irregular thing over the coming months.

You must be willing to support her mentally, physically and emotionally as she will need you every step of the way.

The fact is that you probably haven’t accepted the situation you’re in at the moment and that you’re likely to be in a state of shock.

This is completely normal and can be dealt with if you seek some help and guidance not only from family and friends but a counsellor may also need to be selected.

Your life is about to change forever. And will never be the same again – with a little one running around.

So how exactly do you come to terms with this and accept it?

Telling people as early as possible can get it out of the open. The worst thing that you can do is store it up inside of you and not tell many people.

Look at it this way – everyone will know eventually anyway when your baby is born.

But many pregnant women for the first time go through a lot of emotions. Many opt for abortion which is the easy way out for some. Others stay true to their morals and decide to have the baby.

But the first few months are tough. You face nausea, you feel embarressment because you have been knocked up suddenly and you fear for the future.

If you’re not married yet, some cultures don’t believe that this is acceptable and recommend getting married to your partner before having the child.

Today’s day and age suggests that this shouldn’t be forced upon you but some cultures have strong beliefs.

This can add to the fear of telling your close family and friends.

To accept the situation, you must talk about the subject openly; plan how you can work around having a baby in your life now; lift some of the uncertainty that is creeping into your mind. And most of all, talk about it with your partner.

Most pregnant women will experience some sort of depression while they are pregnant. Some only receive mild depression, but for others it will be more severe.

It depends on the situation but of course unplanned pregnancies are going to include strong emotions such as the shock of it all and the uncertainty surrounding the future.

Identifying the signs early means you are likely to help treat this a lot better than those going on through the pregnancy with no help at all.

You should therefore head to see a counsellor to talk about your problems and what you’re feeling. Even the partner should go along to support and make sure that he understands what his happening to your body and also in  your head.

Unplanned pregnancies can open so many questions. You may be opting for an abortion throughout the process and then think what if..?

So many scenarios will go through your head. You may feel shameful if you come from a cultural background – and if you’re not married and are now pregnant – it can also make you feel shameful to your family.

This is nothing to be ashamed about…but it is very easy to say if you aren’t in that situation.

The first part of prenatal depression that needs to be resolved is your acceptance. Your acceptance that you are about to have a baby; that your whole life will be turned upside down; that your career may change considerably; that you must prepare for the financial burden that a child will have on you; and accept that your relationship with your partner will change – it may even become stronger with a child involved.

How do you find acceptance? It has to come from you within.

Not even a counsellor can wave a magic wand. But what a counsellor will do is help with your stress, anxiety or depression levels.

Baby equipment can be really expensive so paying it off over time can be lighter on the pocket.

A cost of a baby cot generally is around $500 and of course for a bassinet it can be around $250.

But there is so many other things that your baby will need – or the mother and father will need – such as a big tall boy set of drawers to put the bundles of clothes in.

Then you’ve got the changing table which is generally fairly cheap to buy.

You’ve also got the equipment such as a milk streriliser, milk bottles, dummies, nappies and clothes.

The list goes on.

Having a baby can be an extremely expensive time even with a baby bonus if you’re an Australian resident living in Australia.

The need for good financial support is the most important thing when No.1 deciding to have a baby and No.2 deciding to keep the baby.

A good mental support base is also a great foundation for this.

But for those just beginning their entry into family life, the financial issue can be a draining one and perhaps one that the mother of the baby needs not to contend with when carrying the child. This can induce extra stress on the mother and the baby. The father definitely needs to take responsibility for these things and become the main breadwinner.

Sometimes during the pregnancy process, the mother may need to be counselled and this is completely normal. They may need to seek outside advice if they are depressed. It is very easy for mothers to become depressed during pregnancy and finances and a look of uncertainty to the future usually springs on any depression vibes.

You should also have the baby’s room ready also so that the baby is ready 0n arrival. If you don’t know the baby’s sex, pain the wall white and make the furniture white and then adds some blues or pinks once you know the sex of the baby.

The nausea that comes with pregnancy in its early months is something that can be distressing for the female and the male attached.

Waking up every morning feeling like you want to vommit - and then you do - is only the first thing. Then you feel nautious all morning…not really wanting anything for breakfast…feeling as though everything you want to eat, you will throw up anyway.

You feel weak not only physically but also mentally.

It doesn’t still paint a pretty picture of it all.

Then in the afternoon – we all think it’s over with – but it’s not.

The nausea will last for some women all day long. For others, it may only last a couple of hours into the afternoon. It is important to snack on light things. Salada’s are the untold truth. These dry biscuits will help prevent any vomitting concerns throughout the day.

But through all of this it is important for both you and your partner to stay strong. It’s a tough challenge – but you must see it as a milestone – and one that you will get through together. It is important to have a good support network behind you through all of this. Whether it is family, whether it’s close friends or whether it’s the dynamic new world of work – and of course your loving partner.

It is so important to have communication with your  partner through all of this. He is the one whom is responsible for this just as much as you are. You must convey your feelings to him throughout this whole ordeal and don’t shut him out. The first three months of pregnancy are in fact the worst in most cases.

From then on, it will become a celebration of life. And one that you will treasure forever because you have stood the test of time.

So many women – particularly with unplanned pregnancies – face uncertainty for the future; struggle to cope with the fact they are pregnant; struggle to cope with the sickness and nausea to go along with it all; and even debate for long periods about keeping the baby or having an abortion.

Yoga is a great way to get a positive frame of mind as you head to weekly classes and they take you through some techniques and relax your mind, body and soul.

Yoga helps balance the body, mind and spirit through relaxation, exercises, postures, breathing and meditation.Yoga can also bring out This can help to bring out a new strength and calm – which will definitely be needed as you face the many challenges of motherhood. It doesn’t matter what stage of pregnancy or level of fitness you are at, every woman can gain from the simple yoga techniques.

Motherhood is a big enough challenge as it is without facing the world of pregnancy. Yoga will help with this. Prenatal yoga is simply a term that is a more gentle and subtle version of yoga. Most versions of yoga are fine to do while pregnant but prenatal classes eliminate any uncertain positions and techniques.

There are yoga centres all around Australia so choose one and get involved today to calm your mind, body and soul.

A membership at most centres is around $150 which is for about 10 yoga classes.

The best thing about yoga is the peaceful atmosphere. You walk into a room full of candles with the lights dimmed and with a genuine peaceful and harmonious environment.

Even after the baby’s born, it is great for the mother to get involved with something like yoga to at least have some personal space in activity that they would enjoy on a regular basis.

The Times of India report that the USA have already banned these bottles, while the health authorities in countries like Australia and Britain are under pressure to remove it from shelves.

Also, the item is unavailable in France and Canada, reports the Daily Telegraph .

Australia’s Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has put the responsibility to do away with the BPA bottle on Therapeutic Goods Administration. However, TGA has hinted that the Federal Health department needs to deal with the issue.

It creates a further push towards women to breastfeed and begin this from an early age. 

Meanwhile, Queensland grandmother and anti-BPA in bottles campaigner Nadia Duensing warned that Australia could become the “dumping ground,” while authorities bicker.
There have apparently been increased risks with plastic bottles over the past two years with research suggesting it is linked to breast cancer.

The nation’s ministers met this week to endorse the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy 2010-2015 with a vision behind the strategy to protect, promote, support, value and be ”viewed as the biological and social norm”.

All health ministers agreed that breast was best for babies and mothers in the first six months.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity, chronic diseases and some respiratory illnesses.