Perinatal
From pregnancy to postnatal
Depression, anxiety, fear of childbirth, birth trauma, lack of bonding, motherhood disappointment, losses and grief….
1 in 5 women will experience a maternal mental health struggle during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. Many women do not seek help. Why? Fear of being judged as ‘unsafe’, thinking they are alone, or buying into the ‘perfect-mother’ myth. Pregnancy can be hard, births can be traumatic, losses can be indescribably painful, and being a mother can be a struggle.
You might not know why you feel low, or why didn’t have an ‘instant connection’ with your baby, you might be constantly on edge and fearful to let others look after your baby. You might be pregnant and terrified of giving birth.Â
Perhaps your ‘rituals’ that once served to provide relief, are now obsessively taking over your life. Maybe motherhood is not what was ‘advertised’ and you feel that makes you a ‘bad mother’. Gosh, it can be so hard, and it can feel too shameful to share with your friends, family, or partner because who wants to be judged, when we ‘should be feeling so lucky’ to have a child or survived a birth trauma.
Reach out by emailing me here and I can try to support you
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Birth Trauma
Experiencing birth trauma can be deeply distressing, leaving a lasting emotional and psychological impact. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even fearful about the prospect of another pregnancy or childbirth after a traumatic birth experience.
If you’ve experienced birth trauma, know that you are not alone. Birth trauma can stem from various factors, such as unexpected medical interventions, complications, loss of control during labour, feeling unsupported or dismissed, or even events where both mother and baby’s safety were at risk. Trauma is about how the experience made you feel, not about how others might perceive the ‘obstetric nature’ of your birth experience.
Trauma can manifest in many ways, from symptoms that disrupt your daily life to deeper emotional wounds that affect your sense of identity. You might experience intrusive memories, flashbacks, panic, anger and emotion dysregulation. You may feel isolated, ashamed, or stigmatised, as though the trauma has defined you.
If you are struggling with any of these issues, or anything else during pregnancy or beyond, I can support you.
Reach out by emailing me here.
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