While birth is a fundamentally normal experience in the lives of most women,
for some the experience of becoming pregnant, giving birth and becoming
a mother can bring up feelings of fear, inadequacy and panic. These intense
feelings can be related to earlier experiences of childhood sexual abuse,
woman abuse or trauma from a previous childbirth experience.
Women who have not had such experiences often benefit from Birth
Counselling as well. Having a caring and competent professional to
talk with creates a safe and reassuring environment in which to discuss
beforehand any apprehension they may have about the upcoming birth.
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Birth Counselling is intended to reduce
feelings of apprehension, fear, inadequacy and panic through a combination
of methods:
- talk therapy
- birth planning
- relaxation exercises
- containment exercises
- journaling
- trigger work
Trigger work is the identification of events related to childbirth that
could lead a woman to have an unpleasant reaction, and the development of
relevant solutions to help her experience a safe passage through her pregnancy,
labour, childbirth and postpartum.
What you can expect in your counselling sessions
When you enter into a service agreement with A
Safe Passage, together with your counsellor you will determine what
you would like most to work on during your time together related to your
pregnancy, upcoming birth and/or postpartum.
Your counsellor will help you look at your pregnancy-, birth- and/or mothering-related
concerns and strategize with you ways of minimizing them through a variety
of suggestions, take-home exercises and problem-solving. At all times, you
are in control of what you choose to share with your counsellor... it is
not necessary for you to share the details of your abuse to benefit from
Birth Counselling but you are welcome to do
so as it may help us understand your concerns better.
Our counselling services focus on the here and now and we support you
in making "do-able" choices and finding simple strategies to work
with your fears as they relate to the childbearing year. For some clients,
we have spent time developing detailed birth plans to clearly communicate
their needs for labour and birth, while for other clients, appointments
have provided them with a safe person to share the thoughts they felt too
ashamed or afraid to share with those around them.
We work from a harm-reduction approach and understand that often times
women use potentially harmful coping strategies to manage the impacts that
abuse may have had on their lives. Knowing this, we listen without judgement
and may offer suggestions and alternatives when appropriate. With your permission,
we may also work in collaboration with other agencies/professionals you
may be accessing for support.
Some women who have come to Birth Counselling
were in need of services that were outside our scope of practice. For some,
a referral to another type of counsellor or therapist might be more appropriate.
If you have any questions or concerns about whether or not Birth
Counselling is right for you, please contact us
directly.
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Every woman moves through birth counselling at her own pace. While some
women meet with a counsellor only a couple of times, other women benefit
from continuous, on-going support throughout their pregnancies. Birth
Counselling does not replace psychotherapy or more time-intensive
forms of individual or group counselling.
Although Birth Counselling is of benefit
to all pregnant women regardless of their previous experiences, it is designed
especially for women who are concerned that past experiences of abuse may
impact them in the childbearing year. It provides women survivors of abuse
a safe environment in which to problem solve around these particular issues
and create birth plan strategies to cope with their potential triggers.
If the issues around which you need support fall outside of our scope
of practice, we will refer you to appropriate community services for follow-up.
At all times your confidentiality is respected.
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Time
Birth Counselling is a short-term and focused form of counseling. Day,
evening and weekend appointments are available, and each session lasts for
60 minutes. The average client will attend 4 to 5 sessions before the birth
of their baby; however, this can be extended by request from the client
or by suggestion of the counsellor. After the birth, many women benefit
from meeting again with their counselor to bring closure to their counseling
relationship. If at this time you feel in need of continued support, referrals
can be made to appropriate community agencies and/or supports.
Location
Sessions take place in the centrally located office of birth
positive ™ in London, Ontario.
Cost
Fees are based on a sliding scale according to income and ability to pay.
Payment is due at the start of each appointment unless prior arrangements
have been made.
