Pregnancy and Delivery Checklist
Car seatDiaper bagPediatrician- Pregnancy and Postpartum Therapy?
There are all types of sources for expecting parents out there on what you need before the baby comes. Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, swaddles, car seat, crib, what to pack in your hospital bag, etc…
We consult OBGYNs, breastfeeding consultants, doulas, and take labor and delivery classes to understand what is going to happen in the beautiful experience that is pregnancy and delivery. But, there is one area that we are left to handle completely on our own, and that’s the mental struggle of becoming a parent. I mean of course our OB’s tell us all about the concept of “baby blues” or “postpartum depression”. But do you know about postpartum anxiety, how your brain biologically changes when you deliver a baby, or how your hormones are so out of whack trying to restabilize that you will cry and laugh at the same time while also drenching your sheets every night with hormonal night sweats? Are you given the skills to cope with the mental exhaustion that takes place before, during, and after the 6-12 week postpartum period that is considered the “4th trimester”?
I am a therapist and even I wasn’t prepared for the mental changes and the ups and downs that parenting blessed me with. That’s why I think it is absolutely necessary to add therapy into your pregnancy checklist. Think about it, we have regular check-ups at the doctor for ourselves, for our children, and for our pets, BUT we don’t have regular check-ups for our mental health. We take our car in for maintenance with the mechanic and yet we think the inner workings of our minds are self-diagnosing and healing???? I mean, we even have premarital counseling because everyone knows that getting married is a huge deal and life changing…but do you know what is even bigger than that? HAVING A BABY!!!!!!
SO, do your future self and child a favor and sign up for pregnancy and postpartum counseling for you and your partner. Having a child is life changing. The transition is a beautiful and difficult one. Put your mental health first and have that time to check-in with yourself and build your coping skills. You are worth it!
For more information on pregnancy and postpartum counseling, contact Mountain Mindset or check out our website at mountainmindset.org.
Thank you for taking the time to check in with us!
Stephanie Kemme
Mountain Mindset Counseling 