The 6 most important advantages of going to the psychologist during pregnancy

Pregnancy is not only a process in which there is a clear physical transformation. It is also a phenomenon that has significant psychological repercussions on the woman and, by extension, also on her partner (if there is one).

This occurs especially in the case of new mothers, but to a greater or lesser extent, it also occurs in practically any pregnancy, regardless of those that have occurred before. It is not only about the changes at the hormonal level that occur in the pregnant woman's body, but also about the modifications in their context, in their roles and in the expectations that they must know how to manage, among others things.

In short, there are many psychological and social elements that come into play when a baby is expected. And it is precisely for this reason that many psychologists offer specialized services for those who must adapt to pregnancy and all that it implies. Therefore, here we will see a summary of the benefits of going to the psychologist during pregnancy.

• Related article: "The 8 psychological disorders that can arise during pregnancy"

What is perinatal psychology?

Perinatal psychology is the branch of psychology that is in charge of investigating and intervening on all the emotional, behavioral and cognitive processes linked to pregnancy and motherhood during the first months of raising the baby.

It is a work environment in which people are helped who do not have to be developing a psychopathology, but that in any case they experience special needs linked to their way of adapting to the new situation of pregnancy.

Thus, psychologists offering services in perinatal psychology give support both pregnant women or women who have recently been in labor, as well as, in many cases, their partners. In addition, it is also common to give support to women who have suffered an unwanted abortion or who have fertility problems and obstacles when trying to become a mother affect your quality of lifetime.

The benefits of going to the psychologist during pregnancy

This is a summary of the main advantages of going to the psychologist while going through the pregnancy.

1. Advice is offered

In the psychology services for pregnant women it is possible to find behavioral guidelines to adapt ourselves psychologically to both pregnancy and motherhood once the baby has been had. This helps to know how to manage all the challenges posed by this new way of life without your own mental health suffering.

For example, information is provided on how to manage schedules, how to distribute responsibilities in the context of the couple without fueling conflicts, how to combine moments of rest with those of work, etc.

2. Promote self-care programs

In the previous point we have seen that in the sessions with the psychologist it is possible to obtain information on very varied aspects associated with pregnancy.

However, it is also possible to go beyond simply receiving information and getting involved in training programs. psychological training to be able to move from words to deeds, especially in something as important as self-care.

In this way, Psychologists work generating activities and contexts that facilitate the maintenance of physically and psychologically healthy habits In day to day. This involves doing self-motivation exercises to follow schedules, Mindfulness to keep anxiety at bay, setting action triggers to avoid postponing our responsibilities related to diet or a good rest, etc.

4. Help manage fears

Pregnancy is associated with all a series of expectations and forecasts about what may happen.

In these cases, it is relatively easy to fall into obsessive thoughts about everything that can go wrong, something that is not uncommon considering that having a baby is a capable experience. to change our lives: in the absence of information, it is common to worry about the extent to which problems may appear in pregnancy, in childbirth, in adapting to the role of mother, etc.

Therefore, in the sessions with the psychologist tools are offered to manage this distress by adopting a constructive mindset.

5. Enhance self-knowledge

During pregnancy, it is easy for future moms to come into contact with parts of themselves that they were not aware of until then.

So, perinatal psychology offers help in squeezing the potential for self-knowledge from this kind of experience. For example, it is taught to carry out an emotions diary, to detect forms of emotional management problems (binge eating, hair pulling, etc.), to understand the scale of values ​​and priorities that are continues, and more.

6. Help is offered against possible psychological disorders

In some cases, pregnancy can act as a trigger (not a sole cause) of psychological disorders that must be treated in therapy. Given this, It is important to detect these problems as soon as possible and solve them with professional support..

Are you looking for psychological assistance before the process of pregnancy and motherhood?

If you are interested in having professional support in the field of perinatal psychology, get in touch with our team of professionals. On Vibra Wellbeing We offer psychological assistance both in person at our center in Madrid and through online therapy.

Bibliographic references:

• Dirix, C.E.H.; Nijhuis, J.G.; Hornstra, G. (2009). Aspects of Fetal Learning and Memory. In: Child Development, 80 (4): pp. 1251 - 1258.
• Hepper, P.G. (1994) The beginnings of the mind: evidence from the behavior of the fetus. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 12: pp. 143 - 154.
• Masoni, S.; Maio, A.; Trimarchi, G.; De Punzio, C.; Fioretti, P. (1994). The couvade syndrome. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 15 (3): pp. 125 - 131.
• Miller, L.J. (2002). Postpartum depression. JAMA, 287 (6): pp. 762 - 765.
• Stewart, D.E.; Vigod, S.N. (2019). Postpartum Depression: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Emerging Therapeutics. Annual Review of Medicine, 70 (1): pp. 183 - 196.