Ready to COPE – FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about Ready to COPE.
Ready to COPE is written for you if you (or your partner) is pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months.
Pregnancy and parenthood is a unique and emotional time in your life. It’s a time of great change – physically, mentally and emotionally. It is also the time of life when women are most at risk of developing emotional and mental health conditions and men are also at increased risk. The Ready to COPE app or emails will empower and comfort you with trustworthy and credible information so you can be prepared for and understand your thoughts and feelings as they arise.
What should I expect?
Ready to COPE is filled with information about your emotional and mental wellbeing as you travel through the various stages of your pregnancy and/or first year of your baby’s life. You will receive updates based on your baby’s due date or birth date, so they’re relevant to you when you receive it.
Ready to COPE will provide you with:
- Insights and understanding of the range of emotions you may feel during pregnancy and early parenthood;
- Useful and practical strategies to support and maintain your emotional wellbeing, including how to get help for yourself or someone you know who may be struggling;
- Increased awareness of the common mental health conditions during pregnancy and early parenthood; and
- Personal stories from other men and women regarding their experience with emotional and mental health challenges during the perinatal period.
Just some of the many topics covered include body image, changing friendships, managing advice and expectations for birth and parenthood, mummy guilt, ante/postnatal depression and anxiety, stress, self-care and shifting identities.
Who is responsible for Ready to COPE’s content?
Ready to COPE is written by Dr. Nicole Highet, the Founder and Executive Director of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence. As a Doctor of Psychology specialising in perinatal mental health over the past 20+ years, Nicole is committed to informing and empowering women with timely, quality information.
Importantly, Ready to COPE is underpinned by the Australian National Clinical Guidelines, so you know it is evidence-based and trustworthy.
What should I do if things change during my pregnancy?
If you/your partner experience miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, medical termination, stillbirth or newborn death, we are so sorry that your baby has died and we wish you comfort during this difficult time. If you’d like further support, information and education, please visit or call Red Nose (1300 308 307) or SANDS (1300 072 637). You can also unsubscribe from Ready to COPE at any time.
If your due date changes or you have your baby early, you can click on “Change or Update Details” at the bottom of the emails, or in the settings section of the app, and easily update your details accordingly.
How can I easily share Ready to COPE with my friends who are also pregnant or have had a baby?
Sharing Ready to COPE with others is a great idea! You can send them to readytocope.org.au and they can sign up there easily.
In addition, in every Ready to COPE email you will see “Forward this email to a friend” in the footer of the email. You can also make a direct referral from within the app.
This makes it super easy to pass it on.
How can I get in touch about Ready to COPE?
If you have feedback, ideas and suggestions, or would like to discuss a partnership proposal you can get in touch by emailing us at readytocope@cope.org.au. We will get back to you promptly.