Pregnancy Counselling
You have dreamed of having a family and decided the timing is finally right. You feel excitement and hope, and you begin to imagine your life with a new little baby. However, not every expectant mother feels this way.
You realize that your life will permanently change. You may also have feelings of resentment toward your partner as you are the one experiencing physical and emotional changes, not to mention stepping away from your professional identity and the success you have worked hard to achieve.
It is difficult to share these unexpected and distressing feelings with others, especially when everyone around you is overjoyed and expects you to feel the same. Women with a history of depression or anxiety may experience a higher risk of poor mental health, especially those without a strong social support system.
For those who experienced miscarriages and pregnancy losses in the past, pregnancy can also be a time filled with fear and anxiety. It may seem like no matter what milestone you achieve during the pregnancy, you continue to feel anxiety and worry until the baby is safely delivered.
Routine prenatal visits and ultrasound appointments are filled with mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety. These are very normal feelings for women who have suffered past miscarriages. Being able to manage your expectations and have regular counselling support throughout your pregnancy can be extremely valuable, helping you learn ways of lessening your anxiety and enjoying this special time.
How can counselling help with depression and anxiety during pregnancy?
explore stressors during your pregnancy and the transition to motherhood
express feelings around your identity shift to parenthood
learn to reframe negative thoughts and focus on concrete facts
process previous pregnancy and birth trauma
strengthen relationships with your partner, families and friends
develop new coping strategies and self-care practices
Depression during pregnancy
While it is more common to hear about postpartum depression, depression during pregnancy affects about 1 out of every 7-10 pregnant women. If it is an unplanned pregnancy, you may be even more prone to experience conflicting emotions and be at a higher risk for depression during pregnancy. Symptoms of depression during pregnancy may include sadness and crying spells, feeling of hopelessness and worthlessness, feeling inadequate as a mother-to-be, changes in appetite and sleep, and being socially withdrawn from others. Some women may feel hesitant to discuss these feelings with their doctors or midwives due to the stigma around mental health issues. Depression is treatable and we provide an empathic environment in which you can feel safe to express your feelings and learn to care for yourself with self-compassion.
Anxiety during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of joy and excitement; however, it can also be a time of exacerbated stress and worries. Especially for those who have experienced miscarriages and pregnancy losses in the past, it can also be filled with fear and anxiety. You may feel out of control, that you are worrying excessively, or that you fixate on worst-case scenarios. Some women may experience difficulty in focusing and concentrating, irritability, poor sleep quality, and feeling tensed and panicky. You may also experience tension, tightness in your chest and muscles, and an upset stomach. Individual therapy can help you identify negative thoughts and learn relaxation strategies to cope with stress and anxiety during your pregnancy.
Fear of labour and delivery
It is normal for most women, especially first-time mothers, to have some anxiety around pain and the unknown surrounding childbirth. Women may worry about emergency interventions like forceps, episiotomy, cesarean section, etc., especially when they hear stories of difficult childbirths and have no frame of reference for what to expect. Some fear for their own and their babies’ lives. Women who have had traumatic births may experience greater fear. If the fear begins to impact your mental health and daily functioning, it is important to talk to your doctor or midwife to advocate for your needs. Seeking professional counselling can help you identify your fears and worries, discover ways of changing the narrative of the last traumatic birth, strengthen your support system, plan for more adequate postpartum care for you, and learn ways to relax your body and calm your mind.
Body image issues during pregnancy
Women’s bodies undergo tremendous changes during pregnancy. Although these changes are a natural and normal process, some women may feel uncomfortable or even frightened about weight gain, swollen feet, stretch marks, and other changes to their bodies. Some may worry that their bodies will never return to what they were before. Women who have struggled with body image issues or have a history of disordered eating behaviours may be particularly at risk of developing poor mental health and coping skills during pregnancy. Counselling can help you develop a more positive body image and learn to embrace your changing body.
