Welcoming a child is a major life transition. This change can be filled with hope and excitement, but it may also bring some strong emotional changes or challenges. . At Wholesome Psychology, we understand that every journey into parenthood is different. If you are preparing to welcome your baby, learning how to parent for the first time or trying to manage all the life changes, we are here for support!. Finding a warm and welcoming space that provides compassionate and understanding support can change your life. Our team is dedicated to providing birth and postpartum support to families throughout Edmonton and St. Albert. We want to ensure every parent or soon to be parent feels understood and supported through the many changes they are handling. We care about all of our clients and we work hard to make sure they feel cared for. Our therapists use Unique Approach, view our page to learn more.
Why Birth and Postpartum Support Matters
The birth of a child can be a joyful and overwhelming experience. Many families may encounter unexpected emotional and physical challenges related to this transition. Some struggles that can follow after childbirth include:
- Anxiety or sadness relating to the birth or postpartum
- Feelings of isolation
- Feeling like you've lost yourself/identity
- Attachment or bonding difficulties with baby
- Managing pressures from family or society
- Managing expectations from family or friends or even your partner
- Recovering from traumatic births
- Navigating changes in family dynamics
- Navigating changes in your relationships with your partner or friends
- Struggling to balance your personal life and caring for the baby
Seeking support is an important step to taking care of yourself and improving well-being. Our therapists provide non-judgmental counseling that is compassionate and understand of your unique experiences. We create a safe space where parents can express themselves and learn new coping skills to build their self-confidence. Our therapists will help you find joy and peace on your journey while improving your well-being. Our page on life transitions and adjustment challenges supports can provide further information on what we offer.
Common Birth and Postpartum Concerns We Support
Our team of skilled therapists provide are experienced in a wide range of birth and postpartum concerns such as:
- Postpartum depression and anxiety: After birth, many mothers and families may feel the effects of anxiety and depression. This can include many emotional highs and lows with often persistent sadness, irritability or mood swings. These feelings may cause lasting impacts if they are left without support. Visit our postpartum depression page for detailed information.
- Birth trauma: Unexpected interventions, emergency procedures, or feeling unheard during birth can leave lasting concerns and stressors.. Learn more about recovery strategies on our difficult birth recovery page.
- Relationship changes: Trying to find balance or navigating changes in family dynamics can be hard. Also navigating parenting and your relationship with your partner can be a struggle. View our page on relationships after birth for more information.
- Balancing personal identity: After having a child, it can feel like you have lost your sense of self or you may feel overwhelmed with infant care that you do not focus on self care. Counseling can help you find yourself again while navigating your new parental role. We also support loss of identity concerns.
- Bonding and attachment difficulties: Some parents struggle to connect with their baby in the ways they expected. Learn more about strategies for bonding with your child here.
- Fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, or perinatal grief: If your path to parenthood has included heartbreak, we can provide support and a gentle safe space for you to process the grief and loss. Wholesome provides services for perinatal loss and infertility support.
- Managing everyday stress: Learn tools and coping mechanisms for handling the demands of parenthood. Our therapists can also help you with emotional regulation.. Visit our stress management page for additional information
What to Expect From Birth and Postpartum Counseling
Our therapists are trained and experienced in many different evidence based modalities. Some of these approaches include:
Key elements of our approach include:
Please review What to Expect from Therapy page, if you are wanting to learn more.
Specialized Support For Diverse Experiences
Every parent’s journey is unique. At Wholesome Psychology, we recognize and support experiences such as:
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Wholesome is proud to provide services in the Edmonton and St.Albert areas. We offer flexible appoi tment times throughout the week including evenings and weekends. We allow in person sessions as well as secure virtual sessions. If you or a loved one is facing emotional struggles from birth or are struggling with postpartum adjustment and depression, We have therapists available to provide support. Our dedicated team welcomes clients from every background and circumstance. If you would like to learn more you can explore some other specialized topics below:
We know taking that first step for your parental journey may feel overwhelming, but we are so proud of you! Our team will ensure you feel welcomed and provide you with a safe space that is confidential to express your feelings and experiences on your journey to improved well-being.
References: Health, P. (2022, September 2). Understanding birth trauma. Pine Integrated Health Centre. https://pinehealth.ca/birth-trauma/
Navigating parenthood archives. Health Insight. (n.d.). https://www.healthinsight.ca/campaign/wellness/navigating-parenthood/
