Being a mother is one of the most incredible and rewarding life experiences you can have . But this high point in life also brings with it many challenges, since the mother figure is extremely important for the growth of a child and has a decisive influence on how the child develops in different areas of his/her life: personal well-being, academic environment, work, interpersonal relationships, etc.

Although motherhood is a wonderful time and maternal feeling will accompany a parent throughout her life, some mothers may feel lonely, suffer anxiety before or after pregnancy, experience a complicated birth, suffer stress in the face of these circumstances or suffer from postpartum depression, among many other psychological phenomena.

Fortunately, experts in perinatal psychology help mothers manage these concerns or overcome the emotional issues that can arise during the process of conception, pregnancy, and the early parenting stage.

What is Perinatal Psychology?

Perinatal psychology can be defined as a specialty of psychology that covers all psychological aspects that are present before and during pregnancy, delivery, postpartum, parenting and bonding with the baby. Therefore, it provides knowledge and tools to help mothers or future mothers (but also fathers) to overcome the difficulties that may appear in these important stages of their lives, and aims to offer them the psychological resources necessary to increase their well-being and improve their quality of life, as well as that of their baby and, in general, that of their family.

Being a mother can bring with it new challenges, demanding, unstable periods and can generate stress, so all the resources you have at this specific moment in your life cycle will have a decisive influence on your adaptation and the success of this transition.

Difficulties faced by mothers and fathers

Throughout our lives, people have to face different situations of change that require the necessary adaptation to be able to face them and evolve . Motherhood/paternity is one of the most outstanding stages of transition, and causes moments of great impact in the life of an individual.

In this context, the application of Perinatal Psychology is of great importance. According to the Spanish Association of Perinatal Psychology, it intervenes in the following areas:

  • Fears and apprehensions associated with childbirth and pregnancy.
  • Complicated and traumatic deliveries.
  • Emotional management of pregnancy and recovery after childbirth
  • Prematurely born babies.
  • Parenting at early ages and early childhood.
  • Difficulties in breastfeeding.
  • Puerperium with difficulties in bonding with the baby.
  • Awareness of the birth and Cesarean section experience.
  • Postpartum depression or other pathologies associated with this vital stage.
  • Loss of a baby and the grieving process
  • Problems of adaptation to motherhood or fatherhood
  • Developing a secure attachment to the baby
  • Personal growth from conscious motherhood
  • Difficulties in conceiving a child

How does perinatal psychology help families?

One of the main tasks of perinatal psychology is the protection of the mental health of both parents and babies , so it is oriented towards prevention, support, diagnosis and treatment during the whole process that precedes the birth of a child. Psychoeducation is key in this regard.

However, experts in this field not only intervene and act before birth, but also after, with the aim of promoting healthy bonding between parents and baby. The effect that the intervention has on the parents is crucial not only for them, but for the family relationship in general and for all the actors that make up the family. Perinatal psychology fosters the capacities and skills and self-esteem of the parents, and addresses the difficulties that may arise along the way

When to seek help?

Perinatal psychologists offer psychological support in a variety of situations.

1. Pre-conception support

Some couples may have trouble conceiving. At other times, they simply want to be prepared for this important time in their lives – the birth of a child. Perinatal psychologists, for example, can work with parents to modify their beliefs about what it means to have a child if they are irrational, or they can work with parents to overcome traumatic experiences from the past, such as the loss of a baby.

2. Prenatal and perinatal support

Perinatal psychology helps pregnant mothers who face emotional or physical challenges during childbirth, but it can also be helpful in preparing for the birth process. Anxiety in pregnancy or fear of childbirth are psychological phenomena experienced by some mothers.

3. Postnatal support

If the birth was too challenging or traumatic for the mother and/or baby, the mother (and father) may benefit from the psychological support provided by experts in perinatal psychology, who also offer assistance in overcoming, for example, postpartum depression.

4. Family support

The arrival of a new child (or when the birth has been traumatic) not only changes the mother’s life, but the rest of the family members may also have problems adapting in this context. Perinatal psychology is key because it provides necessary tools for parents and family in these situations.

Where can I find a trusted perinatal psychologist?

In order to benefit from this therapeutic practice it is necessary to put yourself in good hands. In Spain there are good professionals who offer the maximum guarantees of psychological assistance in this specialty, but it is necessary to find a reliable clinic, where you feel comfortable exposing your problem. If you are going through a situation similar to the one described above, do not be discouraged because it is possible to overcome it.

The El Prado Psychology Centre has some of the best experts in perinatal psychology, all of whom have extensive training and experience. It is located in Madrid, uses short and effective treatments from an integrative orientation, and is authorized as a Health Center by the government of this autonomous community. The professionals at El Prado Psicólogos put into practice different techniques so that you can enjoy the beautiful experience of being a mother or father and manage to recover your emotional balance in order to live a full and satisfactory life.

This reference clinic is at the forefront of psychotherapy, applying the latest research and the most effective therapeutic procedures: Clinical hypnosis, Mindfulness, relaxation techniques and other techniques such as EFT for emotional release, etc. Its methodology does not exclude any therapeutic model, since its purpose is to better adapt to the needs of each patient.

You can contact El Prado Psicólogos through this link.