For many women and their families, having a baby is the most significant life-changing event they will ever experience.
Recovering after birth, lack of support, adjusting to this major life change, as well as coping with the day-to-day demands of a new baby, can impact your emotional health especially if you’ve experienced anxiety or depression in the past. (This goes for Dads too).
There are many organisations that can help you adjust to the demands of your new role – don’t struggle alone. You would never allow your baby to suffer for weeks on end – nor should you. Your mental and emotional health needs to be treated with the same gentleness care and love as the newborn baby in your arms. Putting on a brave face, soldiering on and postponing this important self care is hurting you and your family. So why aren’t more parents taking action?
Therapy (counselling) still seems to have some stigma attached to it but here are some tips about therapy that might change your mind so you can adjust to all of the changes you’re experiencing in a more positive way.
What would your best friend tell you about therapy?
- We are less stressed. Having an unbiased compassionate listener (the key word being listener) helps you lighten the load you’re carrying as you recover.
- We can let go of experiences that have hurt us – in life and birth. Many of us carry with us experiences from childhood that influences the way we see the world. A good therapist can help you shift your perspective and get some fresh insights into why we act the way we do. With that understanding we can make different choices in our lives.
- We’re less critical of ourselves. Therapy reminds us see the good in ourselves and encourages us to be as kind to ourselves as we would be to a dear friend in need.
- We get to let go of who we think we’re supposed to be. It’s exhausting spending so much time worrying about what others think. We get to accept who we are and know that we are worthy of love, support and kindness.
- We are stronger than we know – getting help is not a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of courage.
For referrals to a therapist in your area visit – nurturecharity.org or talk to your GP for additional resources.