Pregnancy & Childbirth | Clapham Counselling & Psychotherapy Services

Abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy so that it does not result in the birth of a child. There are many reasons why women may choose not to continue with a pregnancy. For some women, choosing to end their pregnancy may be a relatively simple and easy decision to reach, for others it will be one of the most difficult choices they ever make.

The range of emotions that surround an unplanned pregnancy are often what make the choice so difficult. It is these psychological factors coupled with social and economic influences and pressures that can sometimes lead to women feeling pressured into making a decision that is not entirely their own.

The practicalities of proceeding with or terminating a pregnancy need to be balanced with the emotional factors to ensure the right decision is made. It can be a stressful time, reinforced by feelings of isolation. Counselling at the earliest stages can help an individual reach the best informed choice.

Adoption

Whether you are an adoptee, an adoptive family, or the birthparent of a child who was adopted - the emotional impact of the adoption process is likely to be life-long. Though the experience of each individual involved is likely to vary, for many the journey will be a double-edged sword leading to both a great deal of happiness and an equal number of challenges.

As well as having a turbulent start in life, many children placed for adoption then have to spend months - sometimes years - in the care system. Being transferred back and forth with no real support from a 'family' unit can be traumatic for a child of any age, often leading to the development of behavioural, attachment and development issues that can follow an adoptee into adulthood.

Irrespective of the circumstances of the adoption or the personalities and backgrounds of all who are involved, the process more often than not triggers a series of responses that can have an impact on how you live your life.

If your life has been affected by adoption then it may be you are looking for some answers to specific questions, or you may just feel as though you require some additional support in your life. Recognising and acknowledging issues that are central to adoption, and learning to understand and cope with them is something that Approved Adoption Counselling may be able to help you with.

IVF

IVF is an acronym for in vitro fertilization ('in vitro' meaning 'in glass'). Simply put IVF is adding a man's sperm to his female partners eggs in the laboratory to produce embryos. In vitro fertilization is an option for many couples who cannot conceive through conventional therapies. These embryos are put back into the female partner's uterus (womb) after 3 to 5 days of being in the incubator, hopefully they will then grow into a baby.

The reasons IVF is done include - poor sperm quality and/or quantity, obstructions between the egg and sperm, ovulation problems, and sperm-egg interaction problems. These problems can prevent couples having a baby naturally, and IVF helps to solve this.

Miscarriage

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy that happens sometime during the first 23 weeks. Around three quarters of miscarriages happen during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (the first trimester). The main symptom of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding, which may be followed by cramping and pain in your lower abdomen. If you have vaginal bleeding, contact your maternity team or early pregnancy unit at your local hospital straight away.

While a miscarriage does not usually seriously affect a woman’s physical health, it can have a significant emotional impact. Many couples experience feelings of loss and grief.
You may also need treatment to remove any tissue that left in your womb. For most women, a miscarriage is a one-off event and they go on to have a successful pregnancy in the future.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Never is a woman more in need of emotional and psychological support than when she discovers she is pregnant. Pregnancy and the prospect of childbirth are most often, of course, an occasion for happiness, if not joy. However, few women get through the whole process without some degree of anxiety, and for some pregnancy can be an endurance test of nausea, exhaustion and even depression.

Getting back into your sex life after giving birth can be a source of worry. Many women feel a mixture of emotions as you think about the transformation that your life has undergone: pride and happiness for the baby that you have but also possibly some sadness for the loss of the previous you and the life you had before your pregnancy.

Resuming your sex-life may take time – you may feel ready within weeks or you may not be ready for love-making for months. Every woman is different, so do not feel pressurised or worry that you are not normal. This is a time of huge readjustment as you learn to live with, and tune into, your new baby’s needs so it is completely normal if sex isn’t high on your agenda. Exhaustion is common due to broken sleep and the increased demands on your time, which can have a huge impact on how “in the mood” you feel.

If you do feel ready, you don't have to wait until after your six-week check. It is advisable to wait until the post-birth bleeding has stopped (often between 10–14 days, but it can continue for several weeks). This is because your uterus is still healing and if you have sex before the bleeding has stopped there’s a possibility that you could introduce an infection.

Disclaimer: Counselling or Psychotherapy Treatments are not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment. Clients are responsible for assessing the outcome of their treatment and are advised to refer to NICE guidelines for further information.