One way to navigate the highs and lows of pregnancy is by creating a mental health toolkit—a personalised set of strategies, practices, and resources to help you manage stress, process emotions, and stay grounded.

Why a Mental Health Toolkit Matters:

Just as you prepare your home and body for your baby, preparing your mind is equally important. A mental health toolkit helps you:

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be filled with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. From hormone injections to the waiting periods between procedures, IVF can feel overwhelming and stressful.

While these emotions are completely normal, finding ways to manage stress during IVF is essential for your mental health and overall well-being.

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts or images that can be distressing and are often out of character. For new mums, these thoughts might involve fears of harming the baby, concerns about not being a good mother, or worries about catastrophic events. It's important to understand that these thoughts are common and do not reflect your true intentions or capabilities as a mother. There is also no evidence to suggest that mothers act on these unwanted thoughts.

We know that sometimes it is hard to know where to look when needing support. Here are some websites that have great supportive information for women and families whilst navigating parenthood.

Child therapy involves a therapeutic relationship between a trained mental health professional and a child. It aims to help young individuals understand and manage their emotions, behaviors, and thoughts in a supportive and confidential environment. Therapists use a variety of techniques and approaches tailored to the child's age, developmental stage, and specific concerns.

The mental health of infants is a topic that deserves significant attention and understanding. While infants may not communicate their emotions and experiences in the same way adults do, their early interactions, environment, and caregiving profoundly impact their emotional and psychological development.

Supporting someone's mental health during pregnancy is a vital aspect of ensuring their overall well-being and helping them navigate the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies this transformative time. Whether you're a partner, family member, friend, or healthcare provider, here are some meaningful ways to offer support:

Mental health during pregnancy is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of maternal well-being. It's a journey that can be marked by significant highs and lows, and understanding this complexity is crucial for both mothers and their support networks.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum goes beyond typical morning sickness. While morning sickness involves nausea and vomiting, HG is characterised by relentless, severe nausea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Setting boundaries as a new parent is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, communication, and self-compassion. By prioritising self-care, fostering open communication, and establishing clear boundaries, you can navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood with greater ease and confidence. Remember that you are not alone, and it's okay to ask for help when you need it. Parenthood is a journey best travelled with a supportive community by your side.

Motherhood is often romanticised as a journey filled with joy, love, and fulfillment. However, behind the idyllic facade lies a reality that many mothers grapple with daily: the overwhelming pressures and expectations placed upon them by society, family, and even themselves. From the moment a woman announces her pregnancy, she is bombarded with a barrage of messages about what it means to be a "good" mother, setting the stage for a journey fraught with unrealistic standards and unrelenting scrutiny.

Becoming parents is a crucial for couples to take time to prepare not only for the arrival of their little one but also for the profound changes that parenthood brings to their relationship. From navigating sleepless nights to managing new responsibilities, here's a comprehensive guide on how to prepare as a couple for the transformative journey of parenthood.

Becoming a mother is a profound and life-altering experience. Amidst the joy and wonder, there's also a struggle many new mums face which is self-care. While it may seem straightforward to prioritise your own well-being, the reality is often far more challenging. Some of the reasons why you may find it tricky:

Motherhood can involve moments of overwhelming stress, anxiety, and even despair. Unfortunately, many new mums find themselves silently struggling, hesitant to reach out for the support they desperately need. The barriers associated with reaching out can include:

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health: One of the most significant barriers for new mums seeking help is the persistent stigma surrounding mental health issues.

For many individuals, the perinatal period—encompassing pregnancy and the first year postpartum—can be a time of immense emotional upheaval. While the focus is often on maternal mental health during this time, the need for support doesn't magically disappear once the baby reaches their first birthday. In fact, it's perfectly okay, and often necessary, to seek support for mental health challenges beyond the perinatal period.

Parenthood reshapes your identity in ways you never imagined, leading you to navigate through uncharted territories of your own being. Let's delve into this transformative journey and explore how to navigate your new self when becoming a parent.

Amidst the joy of welcoming your little one into the world, it's crucial to recognise that the transition into motherhood can also be overwhelming and exhausting. While being a mum and caring for your baby / children it is essential to know that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength and prioritising your well-being. It can be hard to know when the right time is, consider the below factors may help with this decision

Parenthood is often depicted as a euphoric journey filled with immediate love, overwhelming joy, and an unbreakable bond with your newborn. However, the reality for many new parents can be quite different. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone experiences an instant connection with their baby, and that's perfectly okay.

Pregnancy is often filled with anticipation, wonder, hopes and sometimes a bit of worry. As you nurture your baby-to-be, you may or may not feel an instant connection to them. If you don’t that is OK, relationships take time. You may not even feel connected when you first meet them. If you would like to connect with your baby whilst pregnant you can try some of these things:

At its core, EMDR therapy operates on the principle that traumatic memories, negative beliefs, and distressing emotions are stored in the brain in a fragmented manner. These fragmented memories can continue to exert a powerful influence on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors long after the traumatic event has passed.