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Pregnancy and childbirth
Private support, therapy and counselling for pregnancy-related mental health issues in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea
Maintaining good mental health during pregnancy is crucial for both the well-being of you as a new parent, as well as the critical development of the baby. When your body, life and relationships are going through significant changes, it can be challenging to say the least.
But if you are having significant mental health struggles, it can sometimes feel like there is little help available.
What types of changes or feelings can happen during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an absolutely life-changing and unique experience for your body and your mind that involves various physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Though not an exhaustive list, as you'll likely experience the impact of pregnancy for the rest of your life, here are some of the key ways in which your mental well-being can be affected during pregnancy and childbirth: -
Mood swings
Changes to close relationships
Energy levels and tiredness
Forgetfulness is common
Tokophobia (fear of giving birth) ahead of your due date
Onset of more serious issues such as bipolar disorder
Sexual changes such as loss of libido
Increased anxiety
Overwhelming joy or excitement
Body image and changes in self-image
Cognitive changes such as vivid or recurring dreams
Isolation or a feeling of not being understood, even by close family and friends.
It's important for pregnant individuals to communicate openly with their healthcare providers, partners, and support networks about their experiences, concerns, and feelings. Each pregnancy is unique, and the physical and emotional journey can vary widely.
As well as physical changes such as weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and other side-effects during pregnancy which can also impact your mental health.
Every family’s pregnancy and childbirth journey is unique, so if you're experiencing any of the above, it might well be completely normal and manageable. But if these feelings become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to contact our pregnancy mental health support specialist.
Don't be afraid to reach out for professional support if you feel like you can't cope or need additional help - contact Schoen Clinic where our specialists are trained in providing mental health support for expecting and new mothers.
If you need mental health support during pregnancy, or after childbirth, please reach out to our caring team in London today. We have appointments available in as little as 24 hours so you can begin treatment with minimal wait.
To access private treatment as swiftly as possible, simply fill out our online pre-screening questionnaire at any time to suit you.
What to expect, and how exactly are any issues treated?
If you decide to seek support during your pregnancy or following your birth, it can be unnerving not knowing what to expect.
Our specialists are trained in patient care, so you know you’ll be treated with the highest of confidence, the best care, and the highest level of sympathy possible. Some of the options available to you are:
Therapy or counselling
Spending some time with a therapist in a safe space so they can understand your individual needs and get to the root cause of any issues you might be having. Sometimes these are on a one-to-one basis, sometimes it can be useful to have other family members present, or another form of therapy is known as group therapy whereby you share your experiences with people in similar situations. Your therapist will work with you to understand the most suitable form of therapy during your initial consultation.
Starting therapy can sound like a somewhat scary process, but our team are specialists in providing pregnancy and postpartum support and will have treated patients in situations similar to yourself. It’s of vital importance for you and your baby to receive the support you need, so if you're struggling at all, speak to one of our team to determine if pregnant support is right for you.
When to get professional help
While we all might experience some challenging times during pregnancy and long after childbirth, it’s important to seek additional help if they start to impact your or your child's wellbeing.
If you're experiencing depression or anxiety, or other mental health concerns which are new or getting worse, it might be useful to consult a medical professional. Similarly, if you know that your pregnancy is likely to be non-standard, and challenging, or there were complications during your childbirth, additional support might be useful to you. Other issues which might be more urgent and require professional assistance include behavioural issues from you or your child, support with breastfeeding or other parenting techniques, or if you're at all concerned about your child's development.
Asking for help isn't an admission of failure, so if you're feeling like yours or your child's mental health is suffering during or after pregnancy, consult our healthcare professionals at a time most convenient to you. We're located in the heart of London, so you can get the convenient care you need.
Should I get support before or after having a baby?
Particularly for the newly, or first-time pregnant, pregnancy and the thought of childbirth can be overwhelming. Ideally, seeking mental health support before and after having your baby is beneficial for the comprehensive care of both parents and child.
Before having a baby it is recommended to start understanding coping strategies, how best to manage stress, and establish a support system before the challenges of parenthood set in. Understanding what the main challenges are likely to be, and how to avoid complications will help, particularly for those who already have issues such as mental health conditions.
After Having a Baby, there will be an extended period of postpartum Adjustment, that even with preparation, can bring unique challenges. Seeking mental health support after having a baby allows for adjustments based on the specific experiences and stressors encountered during the early stages of parenthood. This is when some postpartum disorders may emerge, so it’s important to get support for prompt diagnosis and intervention if you feel this is at all the case.
Parenting Challenges may be ongoing until your child grows up, so to keep both of your physical and mental well-being sound, support can help you to navigate the complexities of adjusting to a new family dynamic, addressing sleep deprivation, and managing the emotional toll of caregiving.
Seeking mental health support during pregnancy or after childbirth is a personal decision, but one that can ensure the best familial outcome and safety of both parent and child. If you feel like you’d benefit from additional mental health support when it comes to you and your baby, contact our team of specialists for expert help.
Support during pregnancy FAQs
What support can I get while pregnant?
Pregnancy is a long journey which can be difficult to face, especially if you don't already have a strong support network. Getting additional support for you and your baby's well-being is important, and readily available. Some of the options available include prenatal care from the NHS which covers extensive educational material, guidance on nutrition, and access to support groups with other expectant parents. If you need additional support from specialists for more complex issues around pregnancy, Schoen Clinic can help you have a stress-free and safe pregnancy.
What kind of support do pregnant women need?
While individual needs vary, pregnant women and their babies can strongly benefit from a good support network, financial and transportation assistance, education around pregnancy and childbirth, as well as support around postpartum care, employment rights, access to funding, and a lot more. While the NHS and online community can provide a great deal of information, sometimes additional support is needed. If you're struggling to process your pregnancy journey or need additional help, our mental health specialists can help - get in touch today.
Our team of specialists is here to support you before, during, and after your childbirth
When it comes to providing support for new parents, or parents-to-be that need additional mental health support during their pregnancy or after childbirth, our team is incredibly experienced. Having supported hundreds of mothers and families similar to yourself, they have dozens of years of collective and individual experience, as well as professional accreditations and qualifications meaning you'll be in the best and most expert hands.
