infant health

NICU, Preemies & Infant Health Complications

You Had a Premature or Sick Baby

NICU, Preemies & Infant Health Complications Therapist in California

Most parents envision having an uneventful pregnancy and a healthy, full-term baby. Sometimes, however, babies are born early, or with serious medical issues. When this happens, parents can experience significant grief, trauma and distress.

NICU experiences can be long, frightening, and emotionally taxing for new parents. Research shows that up to 70 percent of NICU mothers experience postpartum depression, and approximately 40 percent of parents with a baby in the NICU meet the criterion for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many more parents have symptoms of post-traumatic distress, including nightmares, flashbacks, panic, or hyper vigilance. Over time, parents may develop anxiety, depression, insomnia, numbness, or anger.

Importantly, for many parents, these symptoms and emotions do not disappear when their baby comes home. In fact, many parents remain in distress many months later. Feelings of isolation may increase after leaving the hospital where nurses, social workers, and hospital volunteers may have provided necessary support. Coping with a traumatic experience, and attempting to parent an infant, may feel terrifying and overwhelming.

"Healing takes courage,
and we all have courage even if
we have to dig a little to find it."
-Tori Amos

 
 

Signs You May Need Counseling

As a parent of a preemie or sick baby, counseling may help if you have struggled with some of these complex feelings and concerns:

  • Not feeling “connected” to your baby

  • Feeling anxious about taking care of a baby with significant medical needs

  • Mourning the loss of a healthy, full-term baby

  • Experiencing prolonged numbness, detachment, sadness or anger

  • Being unable to experience happiness or joy in other parts of your life

  • Experiencing flashbacks, nightmares or disturbing memories of your baby’s NICU experience

  • Having trouble with your relationship with your partner or others close to you

  • Feeling unable to cope or manage your other responsibilities

I can help you cope with your emotions as a NICU parent.

If you can relate to these feelings and worries, I want you to know that I am here to help. I have both personal experience with a premature delivery and NICU stay, and extensive professional experience working with parents of preemies and medically fragile babies. I am specially trained to treat trauma, postpartum distress, and the other problems associated with having a premature or sick baby. Using a variety of therapeutic tools and approaches, I help moms and dads recover and heal from this traumatic experience so that they can focus on parenting and feel well again. I would welcome the opportunity to work with you on your path to healing.

 
NICU parenting therapy
 

Topics we will focus on in therapy

Every parent who has a premature or sick baby has their own unique experience and therapy sessions are designed to meet your specific needs. I will support you and meet you wherever you are on your journey. Some common issues we may address when you come to counseling after having a premature or sick baby include:

  • Bonding and forming a strong attachment with your baby

  • Communicating and connecting with you partner and other family members

  • Working through your grief, sadness and other emotions

  • Exploring your fears and anxiety about parenting a baby/child with special needs

  • Healing and feeling better, physically and emotionally

  • Treating symptoms of trauma and post-traumatic stress

  • Caring for other children and responsibilities during this time

  • Planning for the future

Reach out for support today.

When your new baby has spent time in the NICU or had other health problems, it’s natural to worry. Sometimes it can be hard to connect with your child, and the impact of your baby’s rough start in life can have a long-lasting impact on your relationships and your own mental health. If you would like to work through your fears, grief, sadness or other emotions, I hope you will contact me for support. I can help you process your feelings so that you can heal, feel better, and begin to enjoy life and motherhood again.