Blog

Preparing for your first baby is a busy time with lots of new things on the horizon. You guys chose counselling as one service to prioritize. What made you decide to prioritize each of yours mental health and your relationship? I knew that having our baby was going to be a major change in our marriage and we can always use some new "tools" in our repertoire, so to speak, from an expert on the shift from a dyad to a triad. I also knew that our relationships with our parents would change, as they became grandparents and we became the parents. Having a safe space to explore new feelings and anticipate changes in relationship dynamics was important because I love my parents. How did the counselling process help each of you in your prenatal sessions in your transition to being a parent? The classes offered by the Sask Health Authority instructed me on how to care for my baby; the counselling sessions offered by Jill instructed me on how to co-parent and maintain my marriage. I had some unrealistic expectations for myself and my spouse prior to counselling, and I'm really glad they were sorted out before the baby arrived. Having a safe space too, to talk through hopes and fears with your partner in a focussed manner, was extremely helpful in making me feel emotionally ready to be a parent. You guys have had post natal sessions and as a couple to support your adjustment in the busy and emotional post-natal period. This was also an opportunity to process the birth experience. What were the benefits of seeking a mental health professional after babies arrival? I felt my birth experience was traumatic, and my lingering feelings of anxiety and fear were affecting my relationships. Talking about the hospital experience and immediate post-partum time helped me to process my emotions and I felt more at peace after our sessions. As well, having a few post-partum sessions helped calibrate my expectations - there was immense pressure to join "the outside world" and get out and about, and talking to Jill allowed me to realize that taking time to heal, bond, and adjust at home at my own pace was more than enough.