Online therapy for confident and empowered births
Therapy For Pregnancy Anxiety
What is therapy for pregnancy anxiety?
Therapy for pregnancy anxiety is a special therapeutic programme to prepare pregnant women for birth and beyond.
Whether it’s general anxiety and fear of the unknown for women giving birth for the first time, experienced mums dealing with trauma from past births or just women looking for a confidence boost before giving birth, this programme is tailored to prepare you for positive and empowered births.
Who is therapy for pregnancy for?
Therapy for pregnancy is for any pregnant woman (from 20 weeks onwards) who wants to gain more birth confidence. Here are just some examples of who could benefit from therapy for pregnancy or therapy for pregnancy anxiety:
- You want to feel confident, calm and empowered for birth
- First-time pregnancies
- You’re feeling scared or anxious about birth
- You’re dealing with birth trauma from past births
- You’ve experienced miscarriage
- IVF pregnancies
- Pregnant women who have suffered with eating disorders or body dysmorphia
- Pregnant women with generalised anxiety
- You’re dealing with morning sickness
- You’re finding the emotions of pregnancy overwhelming
The benefits of therapy for pregnancy
Reduce stress
When mothers are stressed, anxious or depressed, it can lead to adverse birth outcomes so our main goal in online therapy for pregnancy is to help mothers reduce stress. We do this through a range of ways - from increasing calm and self-soothing to alleviating fears and introducing tools to manage stress and anxiety.
Understand natural pain release
Therapy for pregnancy goes beyond antenatal classes to better understanding how to activate the right hormones and how to minimise the pain responses in the body. In our online therapy for pregnancy sessions we learn to work with the natural flow of the body - rather than against it - to avoid additional pain and discomfort during birth.
Dealing with past experiences
If you have past experiences that have made you extra anxious about birth, our therapy for pregnancy anxiety sessions provide a safe and supportive space to explore that together. Be it a miscarriage, a former traumatic birth experience, a difficult IVF journey or something else, our sessions will help you come to terms with it and prepare you for this new birth.
Learn your mind-body connection
In online therapy for pregnancy sessions we understand the importance of self-talk and its interaction with the body. Our body responds to what we think so it's so important to introduce the right instructions and thought patterns.
Build a confidence mindset
Having a positive birth experience relies on feeling confident and empowered so during our sessions we consistently build on this mindset so that you’re as ready as you can be. This confidence carries forward well beyond birth to prepare more resilient and confident women - in motherhood and everything else!
Supporting mood changes
Pregnancy brings plenty of mood changes which can be hard to manage but in our online therapy for pregnancy sessions we gain the tools needed to do this. By learning to respond better to our moods, we can remain calm even in moments of difficulty and stress.
Managing fears around birth
Our brains fear uncertainty so it’s normal to have fears as you get further into your pregnancy. We unpack these fears in therapy for pregnancy and learn ways to deal with the unknown with confidence and acceptance.
Preparing for identity shifts
For first-time parents, it can be difficult to imagine how your identity may change when a new baby comes into your life! Here, we set you up in the best way possible to make sure you’re feeling excited, empowered and resilient as you go into parenthood.
What is pregnancy anxiety?
Pregnancy anxiety is a typical part of pregnancy and involves experiencing worry, stress or fear during pregnancy.
Each pregnancy is different so pregnancy anxiety can look different across different pregnant women. It can involve mental and emotional symptoms as well as physical symptoms. Pregnancy anxiety can also include anxiety about becoming a parent and the identity shift that comes with being a mother.
In the Western world, we are exposed to a lot of anxiety-inducing and scary content when it comes to birth so it’s not surprising that 1 in 5 mothers experience anxiety during pregnancy! But it doesn’t have to be that way.
During pregnancy and birth, there are lots of factors that you can’t control; however, therapy for pregnancy anxiety can teach you to control your emotions, release anxieties and stress and learn to work with your body during pregnancy and birth.
How common is pregnancy anxiety?
More common than you might think! With almost 1 in 5 pregnant women experiencing anxiety in pregnancy, it is actually a very common condition. It’s not surprising given the stories and media coverage that we are exposed to from a young age that birth is something to be feared.
Also, think of everything that’s happening inside your body. Your body is experiencing a huge transition impacting your physiology, hormones and emotions. It’s only normal that you might feel anxious!
The key is knowing how to handle it – that’s where therapy for pregnancy anxiety comes in. Just as you would look after your physical health during pregnancy, it’s so important to take care of your mental health too.
How Can Therapy Help With Pregnancy Anxiety?
- Techniques to alleviate anxiety
- Self-talk and self-hypnosis to relax your body and mind
- Build a confidence mindset so you’re prepared for anything
- Reframe ideas about birth to shift the filter from negative to positive
Techniques used in therapy for pregnancy anxiety
My method of therapy for pregnancy anxiety covers a range of different techniques so that each mother is equipped with the tools and techniques for whatever happens.
Relaxation and self-hypnosis
If you’ve found that hypnotherapy and guided relaxation hasn’t worked for you in the past, fear not. We go beyond the generic “imagine yourself on a beach” to find something that truly works for you.
It’s true what they say that practice makes perfect and it may surprise you just how easily you may be able to relax when our online therapy for pregnancy sessions have finished. We’ll kit you out with everything you need to ride the waves of birth sensations and relax your body and mind whenever you need it.
These relaxation and self-hypnosis tips will be useful way beyond birth and can help for general anxiety and stress.
Relationship support for birth and beyond
We’ll bring your birth partner into sessions to prepare the ideal birth team! Here, we’ll alleviate any fears or anxieties that the birth partner has so that they can be 100% present with you on the day of the birth.
We’ll also work on enhancing communication so that your partner can be an advocate for your needs and make sure that you’re on the same page when it comes to birthing options.
As a licensed couples therapist, I also bring in additional tools for effective communication and emotional bonding.
We’re not just setting up a great team for birth but also for parenthood – bringing in stronger communication and connection.
Cognitive and mindset tools
Our therapy for pregnancy sessions will focus on setting up a confident mindset for birth so that you feel more prepared and more empowered.
From reframing existing ideas about birth that you may have to preparing you with all the mental resources that you are going to need going forward, we’re working at all levels of your cognition to set you up for a positive birth.
Somatic and self-regulation techniques
In therapy for pregnancy, a large part is learning how to calm your nervous system and activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This will keep your body more relaxed and avoid creating additional tension or pain in the body.
After our online therapy for pregnancy anxiety sessions, you’ll have a range of different tools and techniques that can help you calm your body and mind, relax tension and reduce unnecessary discomfort.
Online therapy for pregnancy anxiety with me
Online therapy for pregnancy anxiety with Lara at Lara Listens Therapy offers:
- A personalised, calm and supportive environment
- Cognitive tools you can use for birth and beyond
- A unique blend of psychology, cognitive hypnotherapy and specialised pregnancy coaching
- Take-home recordings for calm and confidence
If you want to start therapy for pregnancy or have any questions for me, please get in touch or book a free introductory call today!
Learn more about me!
FAQs
Why choose online therapy for pregnancy?
Choosing online therapy for pregnancy is the best option if you’re looking for:
- Support from the comfort of your own home
- Flexible scheduling
- Accessible support in English wherever you are – perfect option for therapy for expats, remote workers and busy mums-to-be!
Is therapy for pregnancy the same as hypnobirthing?
Therapy for pregnancy includes elements of hypnobirthing but goes beyond standard hypnobirthing.
Elements of Hypnobirthing:
My therapy for pregnancy programmes include elements of hypnobirthing including:
- Breathwork
- Visualisation
- Self-hypnosis techniques
- Mantras and affirmations
- Deep relaxation.
Differences of Therapy For Pregnancy:
Personalised approach
My approach is always 100% personalised and tailored for you. We work together to find the tools and techniques that genuinely work for you rather than offering a generic set of resources.
Other therapeutic techniques
I am a Psychologist, licensed Cognitive Hypnotherapist and Couples Therapist so I bring other therapeutic techniques into my online therapy for pregnancy programmes.
Individualised support for specific cases
Every person is different and carries their own pregnancy anxieties and fears based on past experiences. Whereas hypnobirthing has a generic approach, our 1:1 online therapy for pregnancy anxiety sessions can treat any individual anxieties you have – from your relationship with your body, difficulty relaxing or issues with control, specific fears or past birth traumas.
Does therapy for pregnancy help with post-partum?
Absolutely, in the online therapy for pregnancy programme we build more resilient mums who are prepared for birth, post-partum and parenthood. I give you a personalised toolbox to take forward with you into post-partum to reduce anxiety and stress and bring calm into your life.
Women who do therapy during pregnancy learn ways to bond with their baby early on and keep stress and negative emotions controlled to later reduce the risk of postpartum depression. We do a lot of work that will help you prepare for the identity shift that comes with being a first-time mother or having a new baby in the family.
Is therapy for pregnancy anxiety useful for existing mums?
Definitely! Every pregnancy is different so even if you’ve given birth before, taking the time to mentally prepare for this next birth can be extremely helpful.
Can therapy for pregnancy work for hospital births?
Yes! If you know you’re having a hospital birth, we will make sure you know all your options and have the tools you need to have a positive, informed and empowered hospital birth.
Can therapy for pregnancy work for home births?
Definitely, therapy for pregnancy is ideal for preparing mentally and physically for a home birth to ensure that you are prepared and supported.
Can therapy for pregnancy work for water births?
Absolutely, therapy for pregnancy can help you prepare for a positive water birth experience!
Is the birthing partner involved in therapy for pregnancy?
Yes, the birthing partner is an important part of the therapy for pregnancy sessions! We usually bring them in for the last session so that they understand their role, how they can support you and learn specific tools to enhance cooperation, communication and connection.
Can therapy for pregnancy work if you have a doula?
Yes, therapy for pregnancy is a great complementary service if you’re also having a Doula!
Is online therapy effective for pregnancy anxiety?
Yes – online therapy for pregnancy is highly effective for pregnancy anxiety to make soon-to-be mums feel more confident and less stressed. The online nature of the therapy is a convenient, comfortable and flexible option for pregnant women.
When should I seek therapy for pregnancy?
I usually recommend having therapy for pregnancy from 20 weeks onwards but please feel free to reach out at any moment if you feel overwhelmed, anxious or worried about birth.
Can therapy for pregnancy help with fear of giving birth (tokophobia)?
Absolutely. Therapy for pregnancy helps to alleviate fears, challenge unhelpful beliefs and address specific phobias like tokophobia.
Is therapy safe during pregnancy?
Specialised therapy for pregnancy or pregnancy anxiety is perfectly safe during pregnancy and I have been trained to work with pregnant women specifically on this. Therapy outside of birth preparation (such as trauma work) is not advised at this time.
Can I do therapy for pregnancy in a group?
Yes! If there is demand, I offer group therapy for pregnancy and pregnancy anxiety. 1:1 sessions are more personalised but group sessions also cover plenty of content and you’ll come away with all the same techniques and tools for your pregnancy. If you’re interested in group therapy, please contact me.