Talking about our mental health as pregnant or new parents
In May, we observe both Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (1st to 7th May 2023) and Mental Health Awareness Week (15th to 21st May 2023).
There’s more awareness of mental health than ever. But it can still be difficult for many of us to speak about our mental health if we are feeling despair, on edge, numb or that life is just too much.
There may be additional barriers to speaking about how we feel if we are pregnant or new parents. And it can be even harder if we are seeing distressing images or having nightmares. Or we might worry about being judged if we are struggling to feel love for our baby or constantly worry about our little one.
We may fear that people will think we are unable to take care of our children. Or we could be having these thoughts about ourselves.
It can also feel overwhelming to talk about our mental health. Particularly when we are caring for a baby and/ or other children. It might feel like just another thing to deal with. And that could just feel like too much.
When talking doesn’t help
Maybe we have tried to talk to someone about how we’re feeling. They possibly dismissed our feelings as being the “baby blues” or part of parenting.
Or they could have started talking about their own experience and how they felt. They might also start to give us advice or tell us what we need to do to feel better.
This can be frustrating and upsetting if we just need to feel heard. And we might also feel disempowered. While suggestions can be helpful at times, the person may struggle to support us to determine what WE need. And I believe that we all know deep down what feels right for us (or not).
On top of this, sometimes we aren’t sure who to speak with – especially if we’ve approached our family, friends, GP, health visitor or other parents at baby groups and had any of the types of experiences that I described above.
If you’ve had any of these experiences, you might be feeling alone or misunderstood. You may also worry that you will never feel better or have energy again.
There is help available to overcome these challenges
It can make a huge difference if the other person takes the time to really listen and validate our feelings.
Over the years, I have learned about how being listened to and releasing unhelpful feelings can transform our mental health and our life. A lot of this knowledge has come from the people who held and supported me at my lowest. This was a time in my life where I could barely get out of bed, struggled with crippling panic attacks and feared going out in case I started to feel dizzy or panicky.
I have also seen how my ability to listen deeply and honour the people I have worked with as a doula and while providing mental health support has helped them to lift heavy emotions and change their lives.
Since I started receiving and offering coaching, I have also realized how much more effective support can be when someone skillfully helps us to determine what we need to heal and transform our lives.
This month’s offer includes all of these elements aimed at helping you to transform your mental health. The TBR 3 Step Rewind Technique offers you an opportunity for you to really be listened to, release heavy emotions and get clear on what you need to support your healing and change your life.
I also share a post about baby groups as a source of support for parents’ mental health. Importantly, this includes a discussion about when these groups don’t feel supportive and thinking about other available support.
Finally, I talk about how you can help raise awareness of mental health concerns that are faced by parents. If we all share information about these challenges, we can help tackle stigma and send a message that parents are not alone and that support is available.
May Offer – More than 10% off the TBR 3 Step Rewind Technique
This month, I’m offering the TBR 3 Step Rewind technique for only £199. Payment plans are available to help make this support more accessible.
Are you still affected by a distressing experience on your journey to parenthood? It might be something that happened during your fertility journey, pregnancy, birth or shortly after your baby was born.
The TBR 3 Step Rewind technique can help if you are still feeling on edge, despairing, unsettled, numb, terrified of getting pregnant again, constantly worried about your baby or unable to connect with your baby or partner. It can also be beneficial if you are seeing upsetting images of what happened, having nightmares, struggling to sleep or are unable to do daily activities.
If you are ready to release any emotions that are still distressing you and transform your life, I would feel privileged to support you on this part of your journey.
You can book a free 30 minute exploratory call with me to discuss whether the TBR 3 Step Rewind technique is right for you. Please email me at amanda@youhavegotthis.co.uk to arrange a time.
More information about the TBR 3 Step Rewind Technique is available here.
Baby groups and supporting parents’ mental health
My son checking things out while waiting for a mother’s wellbeing course to start
Going to baby groups can be a massive source of support for some parents. For others, it may feel like a source of stress or make parents feel more alone. In this month’s post, I talk about the benefits of baby groups for raising awareness of and supporting parents’ mental health. And I also talk about what can be tricky and thinking about finding other sources of support if needed.
Raising awareness of mental health difficulties for pregnant or new parents
Bluebells on a recent walk – walking is one of my favourite tools for boosting my mental health
We can all help to raise awareness of mental health challenges. Here are five simple things you can do to help tackle stigma around mental health and remind each other that we are not alone at times when we are struggling.
Share your favourite mental health resource or an activity that supports your mental health
Share an article about mental health that inspires you or that gave you a new awareness of a mental health issue
Share an inspirational quote about mental health or wellbeing that inspires you
Share information about a mental health campaign that means something to you
Share this newsletter – you could forward it to someone or send a link: You HAVE Got This Newsletter – May 2023 – Parents’ Mental Health
When I say share, this might be sharing it on social media, sending it to someone in a message or telling someone about it.
I would love to hear about the actions you have taken to help raise awareness of mental health challenges this month. Pop onto the You HAVE Got This Facebook or Instagram page to share .
Book a free 15 minute exploratory call
If you want to know more about coaching or about how the support I offer could benefit you, I would love to hear from you.
You can email me at amanda@youhavegotthis.co.uk or book a free, no obligation 15 minute exploratory call with me here.
Travelling with your baby!
Travelling is a form of transition. It’s the physical journey from one place to another. And it can feel daunting – especially if we’re already feeling anxious or low. But it’s also an opportunity to make a shift in your confidence as a parent. Doing something, especially for the first time, provides a chance to build our confidence. The tips in this guide apply whether you’re going out for a walk, travelling on a short car, bus or train journey or if you’re making a longer trip.
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