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PREGNANCY AND BIRTH RESOURCES |
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The Family Resource Counseling Center offers many services for pregnant woman, expectant parents, New Father Support, Postpartum Depression Support, Infant Massage Classes and a variety of other services. The Family Resource Counseling Center is a private practice therapy office located in West Los Angeles, near Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. We offer a variety of individual and group services for infants, children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families experiencing mood disorders. If you would like more information regarding pregnancy and birth, we have provided some helpful on-line resources. Pregnancy and birth are a time when many exciting changes occur for a woman. However, some of the many physical and emotional changes can be challenging. There are often adaptations that need to be made in a woman’s life. While a woman prepares for the birth of her child, she may, along with the father, have many questions about the birthing process, delivery options, tests that must be run, doctors to work with, medications, etc. She may find it difficult to receive that extra needed support. This is why many pregnant women reach out to counseling or a support group to hear other’s stories, receive guidance, and spend time in a nurturing environment. Once a woman gives birth, there are many more changes to face. The birth of a child brings a lot of joy and happiness. For many couples though, it can be stressful on a relationship or cause other unexpected challenges as a woman continues to experience physical and emotional changes. For the majority of women this period of time is, indeed, healthy. However, experiences of tearfulness, fatigue and irritability are common in 60 to 80 percent of new mothers and are usually referred to as “maternity blues,” “baby blues,” “natal blues,” or “postpartum blues.” However, 1 in 10 women experience more serious problems with anxiety, depression and mood swings. When people who are unfamiliar with psychiatric problems talk about postpartum depression, they usually mean a wide variety of diverse psychological problems surrounding childbirth. These mental health problems associated with postpartum anxiety and depression are properly called “postpartum mood disorders” and include postpartum anxiety disorders (ranging from adjustment disorder to generalized anxiety disorder to obsessive-compulsive disorder to panic disorder) and postpartum depression (ranging from dysthymic disorder to major depression). Because it may be hard for a new mother to discern whether she is experiencing normal “baby blues” or if she is actually suffering from a more severe form of postpartum mood disorder, it is important to consult a mental health professional as soon as problems are noticed. Some of the most common symptoms of postpartum mood disorders include depressed mood, tearfulness, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, trouble sleeping, fatigue, appetite problems, suicidal thoughts, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, impaired concentration, excessive worry about the baby, thoughts of hurting yourself or the infant, compulsive behaviors. Following the birth of a child, new mothers and fathers have many questions and seek out support. This may be a time to receive professional counseling or join a support group with other mothers and fathers experiencing similar events. Infant massage is something that has recently become more popular as there have been new findings supporting the benefits for infants which may include: better sleep patterns, healthy weight gain, relief from gas and constipation, improved motor control, relief from some pain in experiences like teething, enhanced bonding between parent and child, decreased stress levels in infant and parent, and more. Many clients referred to us are interested in related services in our community that are provided competently and professionally. We offer the following information as a convenience to you. Family Resource Counseling Center does not endorse nor is liable for any of the services rendered by the referred organizations. Hope you find it helpful...
- In alphabetical order - Body, Mind & Birthing Cord Blood Banking Preterm Birth Resources Sidelines National Support Network www.breastfeeding.com
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Abuse
Child Abuse
Sexual Assault
Verbal Abuse
Consultation Services for Treatment
Eating Disorders/Educat ional and Support Material
Mood Disorders: Depression & Anxiety
Nontraditional Residential Treatment
Pediatricians & Family Doctors
Pregnancy & Birth
The Family Resource Counseling Center
11500 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 420 Los Angeles, California 90064 310.479.9798 ph 310.479.9796 fx
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