'Dread so deep': new parents struggle, don't seek help

And year after year, Sydney couple Marcelle and Steve Cooper lost their much-longed-for children at around the same 12-week mark.

Two sets of twins, three single pregnancies and an ectopic pregnancy over six years left them "broken".

"We were shadows of our former selves, so we made the difficult decision to stop trying," Ms Cooper told AAP.

But just when the couple had come to terms with a childless future, Ms Cooper became pregnant again. This time, something felt different.

"This little baby just kept meeting every milestone - she was perfect and she was here to stay," she said.

When Skye arrived happy and healthy nearly five years ago, the couple were besotted.

But within a few months, Ms Cooper "came crashing down like a brick wall".

"I was riddled with fear and a dread so deep in my bones I could barely eat; I couldn't sleep," she said.

"I was convinced that I wouldn't be good enough. I wouldn't be the mother that she deserves."

The moment Ms Cooper realised she needed help was unforgettable.

"(Skye) was looking up at me and babbling and giggling and trying so hard to engage with me and I just felt nothing ... it was this complete emptiness."

Despite being educated, successful and supported, the shame of suffering after finally having her miracle baby made reaching out feel impossible.

When she did, her GP referred her to Gidget Foundation Australia, a not-for-profit supporting expectant, new and would-be parents.

"As soon as I'd asked for help there was this instant sense of relief and that I was no longer alone," she said.

Data released by the foundation for Perinatal Mental Health Week, which ends on Saturday, shows one-in-four Australian parents has experienced symptoms but not sought professional help.

A third believed their symptoms were not serious enough, while more than a quarter said they could not afford care.

Despite this, more than 100,000 new parents are diagnosed with perinatal depression and anxiety nationally each year, according to the foundation's figures.

The perinatal period encompasses conception through to the first year after childbirth.

"It is a common picture, we still see stigma impacting in this area significantly," said Erin Seeto, the foundation's director of clinical services.

"We know that health professionals are really busy and I think often the time and dedication to mental health isn't always there.

"I'd love to see parity with physical and mental health."

In Ms Cooper's case, professional support changed everything.

"The last thing you want to do is be burdening your family when they're trying so hard to help," she said.

"I downplayed my situation … I thought I should be able to cope."

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Australian Associated Press