Who can help with pregnancy and prenatal concerns?

A therapist who has experience working with pregnant women and new mothers can help alleviate concerns related to pregnancy, giving birth, and the postpartum period. No specific degree or certificate is required, so patients can make decisions based on experience level; they can ask potential therapists if they have addressed a particular challenge before, how the issue was resolved, and a typical timeline for treatment.

What is the best therapy type for concerns about pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum?

The best therapy type depends on the particular concern a patient has. For example, fears related to giving birth or the baby’s health may be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoeducation, while postpartum depression may be treated with a combination of talk therapy and psychotropic medications. Consult with a therapist and ask if they have treated the relevant challenge before; if they haven’t, they may be able to refer you to a colleague who has.

What techniques do therapists who help with prenatal and postpartum challenges use?

Therapists can help patients manage the challenges of pregnancy and birth with different strategies based on the patient’s unique concerns. A therapist may teach a patient how to cope with intense emotions, grieve a miscarriage, process an unplanned pregnancy, manage anxiety related to childbirth, discuss parenting differences as a couple, or explore medications for postpartum depression or (in rare cases) postpartum psychosis.

Can you overcome concerns about pregnancy with therapy?

Yes, a therapist can help with the myriad questions and challenges that can accompany having a child. Those may include physical health concerns about pregnancy or the delivery, anxiety related to the child’s health and well-being, physical changes like nausea, pain, and fatigue, financial stress, relationship strain, parenting differences, family dynamics, and changes to one’s identity.