Supporting the mental health of new, hopeful and expectant parents

"There were a lot of demons I had to come to terms with about my own upbringing and the abuse from my mother."

Becoming a parent is a time when many people find themselves reflecting on their childhood and on the type of parent they hope to be. For mother of two, Katie, this began during pregnancy, which she found "emotionally very difficult".

"There were people who didnt want to be supportive. Those relationships quickly went away - you feel like a burden."

Melinda and Robbie are proud parents to Kalyah and baby Isla. But while the couple now has three beautiful daughters, the pain of what they endured to have their family is still raw. 

"When you can see that your partner is struggling, it puts a huge strain on the relationship."

The transition to new parenthood came as a shock to Nami and Andy. The pair share their journey with COPE to shine a light on the way relationships can change after having a baby - and how to emerge stronger.