Supporting You Through Pregnancy and Postpartum
Becoming A Mother
The journey to motherhood is often accompanied by a variety of emotions. The pregnancy and postpartum seasons can be challenging, even when everything goes according to "plan". So many things are changing in our bodies. Plus, shifts in our identities about who we are, and in our relationships with others.
There are so many decisions to make and so much information available online that can lead to overwhelm, shame and self-doubt. The things we loved about our own childhood and the things that saddened or wounded us from our childhood can also arise. Fears around what will be and how one will manage are pretty typical.
There are so many decisions to make and so much information available online that can lead to overwhelm, shame and self-doubt. The things we loved about our own childhood and the things that saddened or wounded us from our childhood can also arise. Fears around what will be and how one will manage are pretty typical.
Do You Crave Control?
Not surprisingly, the leap into motherhood can be paralyzing. Realizing all that we cannot control can take away some of the joy of the experience. For some of us, postpartum depression will become a reality we don't want to acknowledge. Postpartum depression can exist on a continuum from mild depression to severe depression that makes it difficult to function and bond with one's baby.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Of course, everyone's experience will be different, but we know that often the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression will have these themes:
- feeling sad, empty, hopeless, overwhelmed
- crying more often than usual or for no clear reason
- feeling worried or anxious
- moodiness or irritability
- anger or rage
- persistent doubt about your ability to care for your baby
- thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- changes in appetite
- lack of sleep or oversleeping
- difficulty concentrating
- loss of interest in things that are usually enjoyable
- isolating; avoiding family and friends
- having trouble bonding or attaching to your baby
Counseling Can Help With Pregnancy and Postpartum Concerns
Motherhood can become so busy that time is not made to focus on self-care which ends up hurting everyone in the long-run. Even though you may feel overwhelmed, it can be difficult to prioritize getting help for yourself when you're still adjusting to life with a new baby.
However, research shows that kids do better when their parents are leading happy and fulfilling lives.There are a lot of expectations about what families should look like, the way one should become a parent, what a mother should and shouldn't do, and how one should feel. Of course, shame, guilt, depression, anxiety, anger, isolation, loneliness can follow. Support through these life transitions is critical. Making time for your self-care is a great role model for those around you.
Ask about our sliding fee scale which helps make counseling more affordable.
However, research shows that kids do better when their parents are leading happy and fulfilling lives.There are a lot of expectations about what families should look like, the way one should become a parent, what a mother should and shouldn't do, and how one should feel. Of course, shame, guilt, depression, anxiety, anger, isolation, loneliness can follow. Support through these life transitions is critical. Making time for your self-care is a great role model for those around you.
Ask about our sliding fee scale which helps make counseling more affordable.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Services at Mindful and Multicultural Counseling
Our skilled clinicians will help you to thrive in motherhood. Thriving involves:
- living by your values
- learning to juggle many roles and identities because "balance" isn't realistic
- finding mindful moments in your life
- tuning into your inner wisdom
- cutting out the "noise" (internal and external) making you feel guilty, unworthy, anxious, and depressed
- taking care of your physical, emotional, relational and spiritual needs
- establishing the supports you need
- honoring your feelings and limits as well as expressing them
- learning to be flexible with the different stages of parenthood
Other Services at Mindful and Multicultural Counseling
We are committed to helping you thrive into your journey to motherhood. From our Ewing, NJ Counseling Center, we help with multiple concerns, using various therapeutic approaches, including the effective, evidence-based DBT technique. Our caring, professional therapists will help with addictions, trauma therapy and attachment, life transitions, general wellness enhancement, grief, and mindfulness and yoga practice. We look forward to connecting with you!