TTC, Pregnancy, Postpartum

The transition to motherhood can be a very vulnerable time.

Depending on your pre-existing raw spots and temperament, different emotions and vulnerabilities emerge in each stage. Individually and also collectively with your partner.

TTC (trying to conceive) can be very challenging filled with uncertainty. You watch as your friends get pregnant immediately. Month after month, it seems like you are doing everything right.

You are tracking your cycles, eating right, exercising, taking vitamins, stopped drinking, engaging in acupuncture and meditation, and then yet another “not pregnant” on the pregnancy test.

We all know stress affects your ability to get pregnant. Family suggests that you should just, “relax,” maybe go on a vacation… You try that, and still nothing.

You start to consider fertility treatments.

But the thought feels so overwhelming. And you start to ruminate and loop with thoughts like, “What’s wrong with me? Why me?” It may even feel like your time is running out – like you might not become a mother. Like your biological clock is ticking.

Not only has becoming pregnant become your identity, but you genuinely want to be a mother with all your heart. You have lost yourself a bit in all of this.

Once fertility treatments start, there are so many appointments, and it is hard to keep the positive expectations going when things start not to go as exactly as expected. You have a friend who has gone through fertility treatments that you get support from.

But it isn’t easy when there are so many big emotions, and you still want to keep things private between you and your partner. You could really use some outside support. Not because you desperately need it, but why do this all alone when you don’t need to.

Finally, you are pregnant!

After the initial excitement wears away, you start to worry about miscarriage.

Once you feel safe and secure about the baby, fears emerge about what it will be like to be a mother.

You start to wonder, “How will I handle the lack of sleep, work/life balance, and my marriage? It’s not just keeping another human alive but being responsible for them thriving.”

Then, you transition to motherhood.

After the baby is born, anxieties or vulnerabilities intensify.

With sleep deprivation and hormonal changes, you are so overwhelmed – while striving to survive and fighting anxiety and sadness. “Do I have baby blues or postpartum depression? My anxiety is so much worse than I could have imagined.” Your relationship may start to experience strain and tension, with misunderstandings intensifying.

These experiences weren’t what you expected or dreamed of all the years.

Wherever you are on your journey, therapy can help.

Whether you are struggling to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are having difficulties postpartum, I will meet you where you are and give you specialized support to help you through this phase.

These phases may trigger past unresolved trauma, intensify anxiety, or bring about unexpected emotions or changes in mood.

I’m passionate about a proactive approach, so I enjoy working with women from the beginning of this process to help prevent or lessen any possible symptoms and provide support during your most vulnerable time.

Therapy makes the transition easier for both of you.

I also encourage and invite your partner to join in some joint sessions before the baby’s birth to collaboratively prepare for the transition to parenthood and shore up your couple’s bubble.

With a solid internal foundation as well as a strong partnership, it helps ease the transition to parenthood. It is still challenging for most, but the transition is often much more successful with previous support.

If you didn’t receive support during your pregnancy and now you are struggling once your baby is here, I can help with that, too. I also invite your partner for joint sessions to increase understanding, collaboration, and communication during this time.

When a partner doesn’t understand, and you feel misunderstood or alone, this can intensify symptoms. Since you don’t live in a vacuum and the couple bubble can be an immense source of security, safety, and healing, I encourage a collaborative approach if it fits your needs.