what I can help with - Perinatal Anxiety

Anxiety in pregnancy and postnatally is an extremely common and very normal experience. Unfortunately, for some, it can turn into a problem that impacts their ability to be the parent they want to be. You may be preparing for baby’s arrival, or already caring for them, whilst feeling on edge, and unable to stop worrying and/or having intrusive thoughts (for example, thoughts that something bad will happen to you or your baby). 

This can be a totally overwhelming experience and can result in a number of difficult behaviours or rituals developing, in order to prevent the bad things from happening. Examples include, endlessly seeking reassurance from your midwife, continuously checking your baby is okay (which can impact your baby’s ability to play or sleep), and avoiding certain activities (e.g. not walking down the stairs with your baby through fear of falling, or avoiding midwife appointments and thinking about birth). You may be so focused on these worries that you are unable to be present for your baby. 

Here at Hope in Mind Psychology, I have worked with several parents for whom these issues have been present. I understand how hard it can be to talk about worrying thoughts, especially intrusive thoughts that include accidental or deliberate harm to your baby. However, I also know how normal these thoughts are in the perinatal period, and I have likely heard them before. I know they do not reflect how you truly feel as a parent, and you do not have to struggle alone, I can help. 

Using approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I can help you understand why you may have developed these worries and behaviours, what keeps them going, and how to gradually challenge them so you can start to be the parent you want to be.