Counselling

Communication skills

Being able to talk about her feelings and to communicate her needs are not necessarily skills that every new mother has.  And yet communicating that things are not going well or talking about her worries is vital to getting them 'out of her system', preventing them from becoming part of the depression process.

Assertiveness and emotional language can be learnt as a part of counselling and recovery.  It is important for the woman to believe that she has the right to communicate her needs and also for those around her to really hear what she is trying to say.  Many women with PND report trying to tell people how bad they feel but it is not communicated clearly or it is not heard.  They then stop trying to let people know.

The new parents can also learn about and improve their communication skills as a couple through going to counselling together.

Resolving past issues

It is common for both the new mother and father to reflect on many aspects of their own childhoods, the family they have grown up in and their early adult years, following the birth of their baby.  This process can take new parents by surprise.

Becoming a mother will change the way the woman views her past experiences.  The process of understanding this can be in conflict with adapting to her new family.  Problems arise when reflecting on these past experiences are distressing such as childhood sexual abuse, family breakdown, sibling conflict or a difficult relationship with her own mother.

Coming to some sort of peace about these issues through counselling and support is important before she can move on to being a part of her new family.

• < Prev
• Next >