The journey into motherhood and the benefits of counselling
This blog is written by my friend and colleague, Lucy Kemp who is a wonderful counsellor to see if you are experiencing any concerns or anxiety managing your role as a mother.
Being a mother is one of the most rewarding jobs on earth and also one of the most challenging. It is sometimes difficult to reconcile the fantasy of what you thought motherhood would be like with reality. Take care of yourself.
Debra Gilbert Rosenberg
Motherhood is a journey; for no two women is this journey the same. When I was pregnant with my first child, my own sister wisely told me that “no-one gets it easy.” Everyone has a challenge at some point, whether it be conceiving a baby, pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding, settling a baby to sleep. Certainly in my own experience she was right.
As women, we are born with an innate desire to nurture and create our own family. We fantasise about an easy conception and pregnancy and that “perfect” baby who will feed, settle and sleep but often the reality of motherhood results in a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. In our society, new mothers want to be perceived as coping with whatever challenges they may be facing and this is often made worse by what I call the “motherhood myth” – the myth that the woman in your mothers’ group / family / social circle has the perfect baby.
Women need to feel more comfortable sharing their stories about motherhood – both the good and the bad – so that we can provide each other with support. I am passionate about supporting women through the emotional rollercoaster of fertility challenges, birth experiences and adjusting to life as a new mother.
A difficult or even traumatic birth experience, sleep deprivation, loss of identity, or feeling like a “failure” when breastfeeding and settling a baby do not happen easily are just some of the very normal issues for a new mother that can be difficult to talk about and can create anxiety. When such anxiety manifests, both mother and baby suffer.
Counselling can do so much to alleviate this anxiety. Having an opportunity to talk to someone about your feelings and emotions in a safe and supportive environment can normalise the experience, help you feel better and will result in a more contented baby.
You can make an appointment to see Lucy by calling her on 0401 243 540 or by emailing her at lucykemp75@gmail.com. Alternatively, please feel free to read more about her practice at www.lucykemp.com.au.