The experience of motherhood is infinitely variable and depends on the meaning that each woman attaches to it. There are several factors that contribute to a more or less positive experience of motherhood, and many of them are in constant movement and change. This is, therefore, a lifelong project that implies successive adaptations.
There are several emotional and social challenges shared in consultation, among them:
- The pressure to be “a good mother” – which in the society we live in seems to have no limit. Through social and cultural influence, women develop beliefs that motherhood is something innate, for which they are naturally suited. However, motherhood is a process that implies personal development and adaptation, involves losses and gains, and implies the development of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses that are not part of the person’s previous repertoire. The confrontation between individual beliefs and the actual experience of motherhood leads many women to feel great levels of uneasiness and pressure and to develop negative ideas of what they should be, do, and feel when exercising their role as a mother.
- Adapting to the individual characteristics of the baby and maintaining the balance of the mother-baby relationship can be a challenge. This is sometimes a difficult balance to maintain because there is an interpretation that decisions made are to the detriment of one party. Also, the excessive information that circulates in the media and social networks on this topic tends to standardize the mother-infant relationship, rather than considering its specific and individual aspects.
- Within the couple, there may be very different meanings about pregnancy, maternity and parenthood, which can make the conjugal alliance and respective decision making difficult. Many couples experience difficulties in reconciling the different roles, and there is usually a lack of investment in conjugality and consequent intimacy and sexuality.
The Clinical Psychology Consultation exists to help the woman and the couple deal with any biopsychosocial difficulties that may emerge during the postpartum period, in order to prevent more serious psychological difficulties.
The Clinical Psychology consultation at UTERUS follows the Cognitive-Behavioral Model, which consists of a structured and collaborative approach, which will allow you to acquire cognitive, emotional and behavioral strategies to deal with your current difficulties, taking into account your context, personal history and individuality.
As a sex therapist, the psychologist of the UTERUS team can also make important contributions in the case of difficulties related to intimacy and sexuality.
The number of sessions varies according to the type and degree of difficulties and the objectives defined during the psychotherapeutic process.
The psychology consultation can be performed at UTERUS facilities or digitally.
Contact us here for more information.