POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
For some parents the journey into parenthood may be clouded by pregnancy complications and traumatic birth experiences. Others may have an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery but find themselves feeling depressed, anxious and stressed postnatally.
Our social world often creates a pressure to be happy, glowing and enjoying this time. In reality, however, many individuals find themselves struggling emotionally, unable to cope and feeling overwhelmed by the stress and responsibility of having a new life to care for. Postnatal depression and low mood is not uncommon, though is not commonly talked about. Silencing your suffering can heighten existing feelings of inadequacy, shame, guilt and misery.
PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS
When individuals find themselves struggling to conceive, or when they tragically face the loss of a baby during pregnancy, or shortly after birth, hopes, dreams and plans are shattered, causing intense trauma and overwhelming grief. When the unthinkable becomes reality parents often struggle to reconcile their loss and their feelings of anger, fear, hopelessness and deep sadness.
Friends and family often don't know what to say and offer well-intended, though uncomfortable cliches intending to console and support you but instead their words simply highlight a lack of understanding of your pain and emotional despair. We call this disenfranchised grief.
WHATEVER TRAGEDY OR TRAUMA YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH, WHATEVER EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER YOU MAY BE TRAVELLING, I DEEPLY ACKNOWLEDGE HOW LONELY AND ISOLATING IT MAY FEEL BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO NAVIGATE YOUR WAY FORWARD ALONE.
