To all the moms and dads out there who suffer from depression or anxiety, you are not alone! Some of our mom’s shared their stories in the above documentary and in our Mothers’ Stories section.
Birth preparation for pregnant women
Whether you have had positive birth experiences or experiences that have made you afraid or uncertain, we have written this brief pamphlet for you. Here, you will find ideas for managing fear and pain during labour and remembering your strengths and your options.
Download the pamphlet here.
Leaflet for future mothers
Giving birth to a baby can be a wonderful experience. However, during pregnancy, your body and emotions will change. The following information could help you understand these changes better and help you be better prepared for motherhood.
Download the leaflet by clicking on your preferred language: English • isiXhosa
Afrikaans • French
Wellness booklet
This booklet is for mothers who are pregnant or who have had their babies.
It may help you to feel better, or keep you feeling well during this important time in your life.
To read or download the booklet click here.
Teenage pregnancy
Having a baby is a major life event, whether you are 30 or 16, and whether it was planned or not. This leaflet tries to answer some of the questions you have regarding pregnancy, labour, becoming a mother and raising a child.
For further information, you can also read our booklet for teenagers.
Violence against women
It is not always easy to talk about violence, especially if you are pregnant and are experiencing domestic violence.
This leaflet is a guide for mothers and provides valuable information on where to go and who to contact if you need any support.
Read or download our leaflet here.
What is a C-section?
A caesarean-section, or C-section, is a cut in a woman’s lower belly and uterus to deliver the baby. Why do some women need a C-section and what happens to my baby after the C-section?
Why do some women need a C-section and what happens to my baby after the C-section?
Click here to download and read this leaflet.
Maternity booklet for mothers and carers
This booklet is full of information, suggestions and support for mothers and their carers.
We have developed it together with the Department of Health and you might have seen it at your clinic already, but you can download it here as well.
Mothers in South Africa, we understand that the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) represents a time of great uncertainty. Many of us are anxious – for our children, our families, for ourselves and for our future. As we continue the work of mothering, in physical distance from our communities of support, we need to remind each other that we are not alone.
As a response we have teamed up with other organisations that work closely with mothers, have resources and experience in supporting mothers to create accurate, vital and current information for mothers in the uncertain times of COVID-19.
Visit the Messages for Mothers pages on our website here for information around parenting, physical health, mental health, vaccine updates and more.
Information for future fathers
Postnatal depression can affect dads too. Find out about common concerns for new dads and discover helpful tips on how they can become more involved. This information could help you be better prepared for what is happening.
Download by clicking on your preferred language:
English • isiXhosa • Afrikaans • French
For family and friends
Birth Companion
Supporting mothers during birth for partners, fathers, mothers, friends.
If you have been asked to accompany a mother during her birth, this Birth Companion leaflet is for you!
Maternity booklet for mothers and carers
This booklet is full of information, suggestions and support for mothers and their carers.
We have developed it together with the Department of Health and you might have seen it at your clinic already, but you can download it here as well.
Doing What Matters in Times of Stress is a WHO stress management guide for coping with adversity. This illustrated guide supports the implementation of WHO’s recommendations for stress management.
There are many causes of stress, including personal difficulties (e.g. conflict with loved ones, being alone, lack of income, worries about the future), problems at work (e.g. conflict with colleagues, an extremely demanding or insecure job) or major threats in your community (e.g. violence, disease, lack of economic opportunity). This guide is for anyone who experiences stress, ranging from parents and other carers to health professionals working in dangerous situations. It is for both people who flee war, losing all they have, and well protected people living in communities at peace. Anyone living anywhere can experience high levels of stress.
Seeking help
Find out where to get help if you or your partner suffering from perinatal depression or anxiety in our Resource Directory for South Africa.