Let’s talk about becoming a new parent. One day you (or your partner) are glowing, growing a tiny human and within an instant, that tiny human is in your arms, reliant on you for all their needs. Daunting much?
Something that falls off the agenda in antenatal classes is what to expect after the baby is born. The extent of the physical recovery needed by your body can be surprising, but the visit from the baby blues is something else.
Did you know that up to 80% of new mothers will experience the baby blues?
The good news is that the baby blues are temporary. They start a couple of days after giving birth and last between 3 days to 2 weeks. The bad news is that symptoms include sadness, irritability, exhaustion, mood swings, cry easily and often, feeling overwhelmed and anxiety.
The cause of the baby blues is not conclusive. The widely accepted assumption is that it could be due to the birthing experience, rapidly changing hormone levels post labour, lack of sleep or due to stress.
How can a counselling session help?
A counselling session could provide a safe space where you can start to unpack and understand your recent experiences. It could also be used to build on your existing coping skills and add more to your repertoire. A counselling session could strengthen your confidence as you start to navigate this transition into parenthood.
You could use a counselling session to:
1.Increase emotional clarity
- This could be achieved by exploring your emotive experiences and processing the identified emotions
- Or using DBT emotional regulation skills that target increasing emotional awareness and identifying triggers
2. Reduce anxiety
- Anxiety symptoms can be beastly. Counselling can teach you CBT skills that identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop coping strategies that are effective for you.
3. Create realistic expectations of yourself
- As you recover from labour and transition into parenthood, it’s important that you understand and acknowledge the toll on your body, mind, emotions and being. This can direct how to build low pressure routines that support rest, bonding and wellbeing.
4. Develop skills in managing stress
- In a counselling session, we could explore the causes of stress and create a plan that applies practical and psychological strategies from DBT and CBT therapies.
- For example: grounding techniques, problem-solving skills, or PLEASE skills
5. Practice relaxation strategies
- Self-care is more than spa days. Relaxation activities could be as simple as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation or more scripted with guided mindfulness.
- By focusing on relaxation, the body responds by calming the nervous system and expanding your resilience to life’s adversities.
You don’t need to survive the baby blues on your own. Tap into your social support networks, be kind to yourself and book a counselling session or two to set yourself up to be the best parent you can be.
To make an appointment with Cassia, you can Book Online. Alternatively, you can call Vision Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3088 5422.
References:
The Royal Women’s Hospital. Baby Blues. The Women’s. https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/mental-health-pregnancy/baby-blues
Mitri, D. (2024). When baby blues turn into something more. Gidget Foundation Australia. https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/gidget-blog/when-baby-blues-turns-into-something-more
Dad’s Adventure. Baby blues or mood disorder? https://dadsadventure.com/postpartum-mood-disorders-baby-blues-moms/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=7152050784&gbraid=0AAAAADofhcOWe95eU-GyJz7z7JDK3EHXP&gclid=CjwKCAiAncvMBhBEEiwA9GU_fpYHovm4qw5m-EcSKbv-8tiZ5Z8ywrJG1PO_c-BFn1SXvNEptvh8jhoCl94QAvD_BwE