When to go to an expert psychologist in Perinatal Therapy?

Normally motherhood is one of the most special and happy moments in the life of any couple, but Sometimes all kinds of problems can occur in the process, both physically and psychological.

These maternity problems have been ignored or hidden at a social level for many decades; however, they strongly affect the life and mental health of the parents they affect.

In today's article we will focus on explaining what perinatal therapy is and When should we seek the services of a therapist specialized in perinatal psychology?.

What is perinatal therapy?

Perinatal therapy is the specialty of psychology that deals with study, prevent and intervene in any psychological alteration or emotional problem that may occur in the initial stages of motherhood and parenthood (conception, pregnancy, childbirth or breeding of the first months).

In addition to providing professional psychological intervention, perinatal therapists offer support and Follow-up on any problem or difficulty that couples who want to have a son.

On the other hand, they also offer a service of attention, advice and provision of information of all kinds, knowledge, strategies and useful guidelines for both parents and their relatives.

In short, perinatal psychology aims to address any type of problem, alteration or imbalance in the mother, the couple or her family and also assist them in everything they may need, in a scientific and professional.

• Related article: "Perinatal psychology: what is it and what functions does it perform?"

When to request perinatal therapy services?

These are the main types of problems and needs addressed from perinatal therapy.

1. Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is one of the main queries that couples and mothers who have recently given birth can present.

It is a psychological disorder characterized by a state of sadness, melancholy, crying or mood swings produced soon after childbirth, which affects many women around the world and should be treated by a professional psychologist specialized.

This depression can also occur during pregnancy and in any case it should be treated as a totally normal psychological health problem that can be perfectly treated.

2. infertility problems

Another of the situations in which perinatal therapy must be attended occurs when suffering from the problem of infertility. This is one of the queries that perinatal psychology professionals tend to treat both in women and in couples who want to conceive.

Both infertility and problems conceiving can be caused by psychological problems such as stress or anxiety and it is in these cases that a perinatal psychologist can offer her services to help the couple overcome their problematic. On the other hand, when the reason for infertility is medical, this can damage self-esteem and generate an existential crisis by questioning future plans for family life with children.

• You may be interested in: "Low selfsteem? When you become your own worst enemy"

3. Problems with the bond with the baby

Since not all mothers have the same ability to establish the emotional bond with the baby, sometimes it is also necessary or the support of a perinatal psychology professional to achieve it.

After childbirth, there may be many reasons why a mother cannot establish a normal bond with her baby or simply believes that she will not be able to do so. Professional psychological care will provide us with the knowledge and specific behavior patterns necessary to establish a natural bond with our child.

4. Psychological consequences of a miscarriage

The loss of a baby or abortions are very painful experiences in the life of any parent, which often also need to be treated by qualified professionals who are experts in psychology perinatal. many times it is a kind of duel which is difficult to face precisely because a diffuse emotional connection is felt with the child that was not born, as if his identity were blurred.

In these cases, the support and follow-up that couples receive from both their therapist and their friends and family is important.

5. post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth

The development of post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after the birth of a baby, especially if the birth has been rough or the pregnancy has gone through many obstacles and unforeseen.

Perinatal post-traumatic stress disorders can be treated in consultation, just like any other similar disorder generated in another context.

• Related article: "What is trauma and how does it influence our lives?"

6. Breastfeeding difficulties

Breastfeeding difficulties can again have both physical and psychological origins. that must be studied and analyzed in detail by the therapist.

Correct perinatal psychological therapy can help women who have recently become mothers to overcome their breastfeeding problems.

7. obsessive-compulsive disorder

Some obsessive-compulsive disorders can develop during pregnancy or after delivery; Mother is initially obsessed with carrying out behaviors that he associates with a greater probability that the baby will develop healthy and without problems, but this leads to a series of repetitive routines that, if not done constantly, generate discomfort. These can very intensely affect the mental health of the mother who suffers from it.

8. Anxiety and fear of childbirth

The fear of childbirth is also common in mothers and fathers who are going to have their first child, as well as the development of other specific phobias related to motherhood.

Anxiety-related symptoms and disorders can also occur in a couple with perinatal problems, as well as during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Anxiety usually affects new mothers who are lost and not knowing very well what to do at each stage of motherhood.

Perinatal psychological therapy is the best tool to help fathers and mothers to overcome any type of fear that haunts them.