Emotional Support

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Emotional Support During Pregnancy
If you've opened up to friends and family and still feel you need more support than they can offer, turn to those outside your circle for that much needed support. It's not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of maturity and responsibility.

Support Groups Sometimes, what you need is exposure to people who are going through the same thing you are. Look for book clubs which focus on pregnancy. How about online groups of expecting moms? They're out there. Chatting anonymously could be helpful. Call your community center and find out if there's a new moms' group in your community. Most of the time, they're designed for women who've recently given birth, a place where they can connect with other mothers of young babies. There's no reason you that you can't join such a group. You've got a baby; she just hasn't come out yet.

There are even expectant moms' groups in some areas. They're sort of like in-utero play groups. Want to join one, but can't find one? Start one! Invite the women at your birthing class to get together for an evening of bonding and present the idea. Put up flyers at your obstetrician's office or local library. Talk to women at the maternity clothing store. See if anyone else is looking for a close-knit community of other pregnant women. You'll be surprised how many of you are out there.

These groups are wonderful resources for information exchange, friendship, clothing swaps, and babysitting referrals. You'll get the companionship of women in your shoes when you need them most, plus you'll be building a network of other mothers and babies with whom to socialize when the playgroup phase of your life begins.

Pregnancy "communities" could be the trick to making your pregnancy even more satisfying.

If you're feeling depressed, confused, angry or afraid all of the time, get professional support.

Counseling. It's not about weakness; it's about helping yourself when you need it most. If you feel overwhelmed by pregnancy, talk to your obstetrician, nursing staff, and/or Labor and Birthing Educator about your feelings. They know how to assess your moods, so be honest when explaining your situation. They will not be critical of you. They will be honest with you about the severity of your needs. They can recommend appropriate therapists, if necessary. Psychology professionals (clinical social worker/psychologist/psychiatrist) are sometimes necessary to help with extreme cases of anxiety and depression.

Whether you're a first-time Mom or an experienced Mom, pregnancy has an emotional component. If you're lucky, the emotional component is mostly positive. If you're like most women, your emotions, while occasionally unpredictable, are just more intense versions of your usual emotional personality. A woman who cries at weddings will cry harder at weddings. And birthday parties. And commercials. A woman who gets aggravated by bad drivers will get aggravated by less offensive drivers, hence more frequent aggravation while on the road. A woman who appreciates the beauty in the simple things will find herself awestruck more often. Oh, here's a big one. Children will bring out emotions you never knew existed. Even other people's children. Even children you pass on the street, never to be seen again. You're not a different you, emotionally. You're more intensely you emotionally.

You'll love some of the changes, live through many and endure others. But you will also feel life within you and feel your life more intensely than ever before.

I've talked with hundreds and hundreds of moms-to-be and new moms during my years of practice and all agree, it is life at its best. Indeed, a birth is a miracle you'll remember always.