Pregnancy and new parenthood impacts a partnership due to many different factors. If the pregnancy is unplanned, there are financial concerns, one or both partners are unprepared mentally and emotionally for parenthood, there are differing opinions on parenting styles and/or there are unaddressed or unresolved relationship issues. Once the baby arrives these areas of concerns may be magnified further negatively impacting the relationship.

Engaging in pre-baby couples’ counseling, to discuss any of the above issues/concerns, can help a couple build a stronger connection allowing both partners to feel supported, seen and heard by the other. Strengthening the relational bond can also help both partners manage the stressors and responsibilities that come along with parenthood.

Additional support is needed to transition into new parenthood

There is a need to improve communication

There are differing opinions in parenting styles

There is a need to address family of origin dynamics that are surfacing and impacting the relationship and thoughts/feelings about parenthood

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perinatal Mental Health?

PMH refers to a woman’s mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth.

What is a Perinatal or Maternal Mental Health Provider?

A therapist who specializes in supporting women during pregnancy planning, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, pregnancy loss and early parenting.

What are perinatal mental health services?

Services for any woman experiencing mental health problems and also planning a pregnancy, is pregnant or who has a baby up to one year old.

The goal of these services is to:

• assist the mother in staying well during pregnancy and in the postpartum period (up to one year)

• identify if additional services are needed due to symptoms worsening

• provide the best possible care, treatment, assistance and support to the client and family

• provide appropriate information regarding pregnancy, postpartum period and/or early parenting

What is Perinatal mental illness?

Psychiatric disorders that occur during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.

What are some common perinatal mental illnesses?

Antenatal (before birth) depression, postnatal depression, anxiety, perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder. These symptoms connected to these illnesses can range from mild, moderate to severe.

What is Paternal Postnatal Depression?

Fathers who experience depression following the birth of their child and experience symptoms of anxiety, depression and mood alteration which may be exacerbated by a lack of quality sleep, relationship stress, life transition stress, as well as, a prior history of depression.

What are other signs to be aware of in fathers that may be related to paternal postnatal depression?

Anxiety, changes in eating and sleeping routines, extreme fatigue, sadness and a sense of feeling overwhelmed, similar to symptoms mothers affected by postpartum depression experience.

What is pre-baby couples’ therapy?

It is therapy gears towards helping new (up to one year) or expectant parents navigate the transitional period into parenthood.

What is the focus of pre-baby couples’ therapy?

The therapeutic focus of pre-baby couples’ therapy includes:

• discussing the importance of the father’s role in parenting and bonding

• understanding and attuning to baby’s needs

• maintaining romance and intimacy

• strengthening friendship

• expressing individual and relationship needs

• communication

• aligning in parenting styles/approaches

• establishing boundaries

• identifying unique family traditions and expectations

• reducing risk factors that lead to a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder