Post Natal Anxiety

Having a baby can be an emotional and stressful time. The elation and anticipation of the emergence of a new life can quickly be replaced by the reality of living with a demanding, noisy and sometimes infuriating baby. It is not surprising that the chaos, lack of sleep and huge adjustments that need to be made can result in the mother (and father for that matter) feeling weepy, agitated and generally emotional. Often this will go away after the first few weeks but for some new mums this is not the case and it can feel like they are sucked into a downward spiral.

Some mums are surprised to find out that 1 in 10 women experience some form of Post Natal anxiety following the birth of their baby. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include lack of motivation, tearfulness, depression, anxiety, guilt, irritability, feeling lonely, abandoned or unsupported, anger, panic attacks or not feeling love for your baby. Everyday tasks become mountains to climb and it can be difficult to concentrate on simple things like counting out change, preparing a meal and doing housework. Friends and family may be unaware of the extent of the problem.

Often a new mum can feel she is alone with these feelings or may even try to hide them from the people who care about her. However it is important that if she feels this way, she lets someone know – either a partner, friend or better still her health visitor or doctor. Support is out there.

Counselling can be beneficial to a woman experiencing Post Natal anxiety by helping her to take back some control of her life. It can give her the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of herself, her thoughts and ways in which it would be useful to change. It can also offer her the opportunity to talk through difficult feelings she may have around the birth of her child and the effect that has had on her identity and relationships.

The counsellors at A Time To Talk Counselling and Coaching Service understand how hard it can be for a new mum who is not feeling her best to find the energy, motivation and confidence to help herself. We hope to make the experience of counselling a positive one and will make every effort to make you feel welcome and at ease.