We are new parents, but my wife doesn’t seem to want to have much to do with the baby. What does this mean?

Going from wife to mother is a huge adjustment for most women, and it is not uncommon for a new mom to experience postpartum depression, perinatal mood disorders or anxiety. Between 15 and 20% of women experience significant anxiety or depression after childbirth. There are numerous changes happening in a woman’s body after birth. Combined with the demands of a new baby, some new mothers need help learning to adjust and cope with that change. Therapy can help you understand what is happening and help you navigate the issues effectively.

How would therapy help a new or expectant father?

Women are not the only ones that can suffer from anxiety, stress, or depression when a new baby comes into the picture. Almost 30% of new or expectant fathers suffer from the same symptoms. Men are expected to be the support, foundation, and rock in the relationship. However, many men worry that they won’t measure up to their partner’s expectations of them as a father. They want to be involved and share the responsibility of caring for the baby, but they don’t know how and are afraid to try. Therapy can help men get their fears out in the open and help them learn how to overcome them.

What can therapy do for new or expecting parents?

Therapy is designed to help new or expectant parents transition into parenthood. Therapy can include: • Discussing the importance of bonding and parenting for the mother and the father • Discussing fears, identity changes, feelings of guilt or resentment • Recognizing and understanding the baby’s needs • The Role Communication plays • Expression of Individual and Relationship Needs • Discuss How to Maintain Romance and Intimacy • How to Align Each of Your Parenting Styles • Identifying Expectations • Discussing how to reduce “triggers” for mood and anxiety disorder both before and after the baby is born.

How Long will therapy take?

Everyone’s circumstances are different. The amount of time to reach your goals will largely depend on your participation and commitment. We offer flexible scheduling of appointments in person and via telehealth online.

Isn’t therapy for individuals that have a broken relationship?

Individuals seek therapy for many reasons. Going to therapy means that you love your spouse and put a premium on your relationship. When you face a significant change in that relationship, such as becoming parents, therapy can help you prepare for and navigate that change.

We are expecting a new baby. Why would we need therapy?

When people realize that they will be parents, it can create a lot of anxiety and stress. The circumstances of their relationship may not have been ideal before the pregnancy. In addition to working out their relationship issues, they now must add a “new parent” role into the mix. In therapy, individuals can voice concerns or areas of disagreement and resolve issues in their partnership. Therapy can help expectant parents to discuss, identify, and understand the source of stress and anxiety and learn to navigate the upcoming changes.

Therapy for New & Expecting Parents

New & Expectant Parents

For new moms, it can be upsetting and frightening to have feelings about motherhood that don’t seem “right.”

For some women, a morning walk, a healthy diet and receiving help and support from family and friends are sufficient enough to get through the initial adjustment period. For others, talking to a therapist who understands the complexities of new motherhood issues can be comforting, relieving and enlightening.

The scope of complexities of motherhood is broad and may include adjustment difficulties to this life transition, challenges with coping with new caregiving duties (such as lack of sleep), hormonal changes, changes in relationship dynamics, to anxiety and postpartum depression.

Common postpartum symptoms include:

-feeling overwhelmed

-feeling guilty due to high self-expectations

-not feeling “bonded” with the baby

-Your thoughts are racing and you can’t quiet your mind

-Feeling empty and numb as if you’re just going through the motions

-lack of focus and concentration

-being afraid that if you reach out for help, others will judge your inabilities

-being constantly in a state of worry

If one or more of the above symptoms resonates with you, I invite you to contact me today for an initial consultation to decide together if I am the right professional to guide you through this challenge.

New & Expecting Parents FAQs

Going from wife to mother is a huge adjustment for most women, and it is not uncommon for a new mom to experience postpartum depression, perinatal mood disorders or anxiety. Between 15 and 20% of women experience significant anxiety or depression after childbirth. There are numerous changes happening in a woman’s body after birth. Combined with the demands of a new baby, some new mothers need help learning to adjust and cope with that change. Therapy can help you understand what is happening and help you navigate the issues effectively.
Women are not the only ones that can suffer from anxiety, stress, or depression when a new baby comes into the picture. Almost 30% of new or expectant fathers suffer from the same symptoms. Men are expected to be the support, foundation, and rock in the relationship. However, many men worry that they won’t measure up to their partner’s expectations of them as a father. They want to be involved and share the responsibility of caring for the baby, but they don’t know how and are afraid to try. Therapy can help men get their fears out in the open and help them learn how to overcome them.
Therapy is designed to help new or expectant parents transition into parenthood. Therapy can include:
• Discussing the importance of bonding and parenting for the mother and the father
• Discussing fears, identity changes, feelings of guilt or resentment
• Recognizing and understanding the baby’s needs
• The Role Communication plays
• Expression of Individual and Relationship Needs
• Discuss How to Maintain Romance and Intimacy
• How to Align Each of Your Parenting Styles
• Identifying Expectations
• Discussing how to reduce “triggers” for mood and anxiety disorder both before and after the baby is born.
Everyone’s circumstances are different. The amount of time to reach your goals will largely depend on your participation and commitment. We offer flexible scheduling of appointments in person and via telehealth online.
Individuals seek therapy for many reasons. Going to therapy means that you love your spouse and put a premium on your relationship. When you face a significant change in that relationship, such as becoming parents, therapy can help you prepare for and navigate that change.
When people realize that they will be parents, it can create a lot of anxiety and stress. The circumstances of their relationship may not have been ideal before the pregnancy. In addition to working out their relationship issues, they now must add a “new parent” role into the mix. In therapy, individuals can voice concerns or areas of disagreement and resolve issues in their partnership. Therapy can help expectant parents to discuss, identify, and understand the source of stress and anxiety and learn to navigate the upcoming changes.

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