Pregnancy Counselling – help for antenatal depression, anxiety, OCD, unplanned pregnancy, fear of birth, lack of bond with your fetus, preparing for parenthood, and more – we can help…
“I’ve wanted to have a baby for a long time, but now I’m depressed. I feel like my past is catching up with me. I was always worried that my depression would bring me down when I was having a baby.” ~ Alanna, 33
“I’m thrilled to be pregnant but I’m scared…how will I be as a mother?” ~ Belinda, 38
“I’m used to doing things when it suits me. How am I going to be able to meet my baby’s needs and my own?” ~ Ana, 27
“I had no idea that you could be depressed in pregnancy. I had heard of postnatal depression but not antenatal depression. I just put my mood down to hormones.” ~ Julie, 30
Pregnancy is a phase unlike any other. The most incredible life affirming development is taking place – you have created life!
Yet, many mothers find it difficult to connect with the joy of pregnancy or the new life that awaits them with a baby. Sometimes this is due to the physical demands of pregnancy, especially if you have complicating health issues. Or it may be because of a difficult journey to get pregnant (needing assisted conception, previous loss). At other times, women find that past mental health issues re-emerge in pregnancy. Having a history of depression or anxiety can leave you vulnerable to becoming depressed or anxious in pregnancy.
At the Centre for Perinatal Psychology, we can treat your mental health issues, and help you prepare for parenthood. We are interested in helping you connect with the joys of motherhood, while supporting you with the transition to a different life.
We can’t ever really know ahead of time the impact your baby will bring to your life, because we don’t know what sort of baby you will have. Your baby will bring their own temperament and set of needs. It’s impossible to predict exactly how you will cope once baby arrives, but we can think it through and come up with some action plans.
Our psychologists can help you prepare for parenthood so that you have the best chance to transition as smoothly as possible to the new reality that awaits you.
The couple relationship undergoes its own profound transition during this time. You might value the opportunity to have some time with one of our psychologists to prepare for the changes in your relationship before your baby arrives.
Common reasons for seeking help with us during pregnancy:
- Antenatal depression
- Antenatal anxiety
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Coping with increased sensitivity
- Previous perinatal loss
- Lack of bond with fetus
- Fear of birth (tokophobia)
- Maintaining couple intimacy in the transition to parenthood
Contact us Today
Find a psychologist near you that can help you with pregnancy issues. You can search for your nearest perinatal psychologist by Location.
Call us on 1300 852 660 or contact us to make an appointment or enquiry.
