The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data on birth and fertility rates have sparked media commentary, with many suggesting Australia may be on the brink of a “baby recession.”
But for Gidget Foundation Australia, the numbers tell a different story. They highlight a transformation in the concept of modern families and the parenting journey. However, alongside these changes are increases in mental health stressors for new and expectant mothers, particularly those navigating the demands of work and parenthood.
There has been much commentary around the drop in Australia’s fertility rate to a record low of 1.482 births per woman in 2024. However, the fact that total birth rates in Australia is still increasing has been overlooked. Australia recorded 292,318 births in 2024, an increase of 1.9% from the previous year. Another point to note from the ABS data is that the median age of mothers is now 32.1 years old, and fathers 33.9 years old.
These figures reflect broader social changes, where women, and men, nowadays are choosing to delay starting a family to prioritise their career, or housing and financial stability. This choice speaks to changes in gender equality over decades and is a reflection of how many more available options exist for women in society and the workforce.
However, these changes, while positive, also come with unintended consequences in relation to fertility and birth, and can cause additional stressors during the perinatal period.
The impact on working women
Delaying parenthood until key milestones have been achieved can mean a jarring transition from professional routines at work to motherhood duties at home. This transition can feel destabilising for the professional woman who is used to high performance and autonomy in their workplaces.
Pregnancy and motherhood bring unforeseen physical, emotional and mental demands that no matter how much you prepare, can still feel overwhelming when you’re going through the motions of it. Moving from being able to predict what your day holds to juggling uncertainty and the practicalities of parenthood can be challenging.
All of these are contributing factors to mental health conditions make the working woman a demographic vulnerable to developing perinatal anxiety or depression.
The rise of perinatal mental health challenges
Around one in five women experiences symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, in the first year of birth or during pregnancy. Modern day pressures, where parents are expected to be mentally, financially and physically highly involved, can intensify stress and anxiety.
At Gidget Foundation Australia, a support service for new and expectant parents, we are seeing rising numbers of parents seeking support for mental health conditions. For working mothers, the struggles of parenthood can be further exacerbated by their professional workload and career aspirations.
Taking maternity leave doesn’t mean work vanishes from a mother’s mind. In reality, leave policies often fall short of accommodating the unpredictable and demanding nature of early motherhood. On top of that, there’s a persistent cultural pressure to seamlessly return to the workforce, as if nothing has changed.
Many women find themselves balancing the intense demands of parenting, household management, and career progression – without prioritising their own wellbeing. With so many competing priorities, it’s easy for working mothers to lose sight of their personal identity and struggle to protect their mental wellbeing.
Why support matters
Supporting perinatal mental health isn’t just the job of the healthcare system, it’s a shared responsibility that extends to workplaces and their policies. Employers play a vital role in recognising and responding to the unique challenges faced by new mothers who are also navigating professional responsibilities.
Meaningful support can include extended paid maternity leave, flexible work arrangements and a culture that embraces gradual transitions back to work. Organisations can also enhance employee wellbeing by partnering with specialist services like Gidget Foundation Australia, which offers in-person and telehealth psychological treatment, as well as peer support groups – providing essential care as part of a comprehensive employee benefits program.
Australia’s record-low fertility rates and the older median age of parents mean Australian families are reshaping, but support systems are available to accommodate this change. It’s important to remind working mothers that they don’t have to choose between their job and their child due to societal pressure. They just need a solid support system in place to help them navigate their professional and home life and take some mental load off their shoulders.
The declining fertility rate isn’t just a conversation for parents; it should also be a workplace topic. Workplaces need to invest in perinatal mental health to support the people who keep things running smoothly on the ground. Valuing parent employees means building a stronger workforce for the future.