Baby-ology Blog June 11
This months blog comes from Laura Jones, a CBT Coach, North Tyneside Psychological Therapies Team.
Scroll to the bottom to read about the launch of Toddler Sense - a new class form Baby Sensory.
BABY-OLOGY – A Positive Approach
“Baby-ology” is a support group for pregnant women who experience difficulties with low mood, anxiety or stress. It is the first of its kind in the region and has so far proved to be a huge success. The group is facilitated by Laura Jones, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Coach (North Tyneside Psychological Therapies Service, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) and Alison Ashley, Family Support Worker (SureStart). Together they promote a supportive environment in which pregnant women may discuss any difficulties they may be experiencing. A range of issues are covered in the group, such as coping with stress, becoming a parent, ways of developing confidence and healthy living. Baby-ology is a fantastic way for mothers-to-be to meet and support one another.
We feel that life is full of responsibilities, and from time to time we all experience stress - therefore it is totally understandable that a person may feel stressed, anxious or low in mood at times during pregnancy. During pregnancy there are both physical and emotional changes, which may feel overwhelming at times. The good news is that there are many techniques which we can use to help us to cope with these changes.
Talking to others about how you’re feeling is a good way to start. Mums-to-be are often worried about telling others about how they are feeling, but please try to normalise your stress and anxiety as it is a natural response to pregnancy. You may want to start by talking more to your partner, or to a family member or friend who has been through pregnancy. You could also share your concerns with a healthcare professional, such as your GP or midwife. Attending a group such as “Baby-ology” is a great way to talk to other mums-to-be and share experiences; support groups help you realise you are not alone in how you are feeling.
Keeping a pregnancy journal is another great way of exploring how you are feeling. Please remember to include the joys of being pregnant as well as any difficulties! Putting things down on paper is also a good way to clear your mind and help you think about things more objectively.
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy by eating a balanced diet and getting rest is essential for both the health of yourself and your baby. Additionally, exercise during pregnancy will help you both with the physical changes you will experience, as well as emotional changes - it is important to keep active, as this helps to improve mood. Increasing the number of pleasurable activities will not only make you feel good about yourself, as well as helping you stay positive. One form of exercise, Pregnancy Yoga, is becoming an increasingly popular way of maintaining a positive mood and combating stress - it allows you to keep active, as well as taking some time out for yourself to relax. Other possible activities to enjoy whilst pregnant are walking and swimming. Please seek advice from a healthcare professional before you take up any new exercise.
There are other techniques you can use to help stay well during pregnancy. In “Baby-ology” we often discuss helpful and unhelpful ways of thinking. Thought challenging is an approach used to challenge negative thoughts and reinforce more realistic thoughts. This is something you may want to try - for example, it is a common worry during pregnancy to think about the sort of parent you are going to be, and sometimes you may worry that you won’t be good enough as a parent. Take the time to identify any unhelpful thoughts you may have about being a parent, for example ‘My partner works long hours, what if I can’t cope?’ - then write down some helpful thoughts, such as ‘I am a caring person, therefore I will be a caring parent’. Keep the lists with you and each time you find yourself thinking unhelpfully remind yourself of the more accurate way of looking at things.
By using some of these approaches, you will manage your stress.
If you are registered with a GP in North Tyneside you are very welcome to participate in Baby-ology. Please refer yourself by contacting Howdon Children’s Centre on 0191 200 66 66 or you can ask your GP or midwife to refer you. Baby-ology meets every Wednesday at Howdon Children Centre (SureStart) from 1pm until 3pm. If you live outside the North Tyneside area, please speak to your healthcare professional about the support that is available in your locality.
If you feel your anxiety and mood are becoming increasingly worse it is important to talk to your GP or midwife about these difficulties as they will be able to refer you to a service that can help.
Many thanks Laura!
Next months blog is courtesy of Popolo Ceramico.
August's blog will be about sensory development in babies, courtesy of Dr Lin Day, founder of Baby Sensory.
* NEW *
Baby Sensory is very pleased to announce the launch of Toddler Sense within York. Toddler Sense is the exciting adventure play programme for toddlers aged 13 months to 3 years. Each session includes great music, equipment and new ideas! Imagine climbing a snow mountain, going on safari, digging for fossils, swimming with dolphins and hunting for dinosaurs?
Free trial sessions are available, to book yours please contact Liz Torpey on 07565 551415 or email york@toddlersense.co.uk.
In addition, we are delighted to be launching Baby Sensory classes in Haxby on Wednesday 20th July. Baby Sensory provides hundreds of sensory development activities that are great fun for parents and babies to share in the vital first year. The classes include fibre optic light shows, bubbles, bells, musical fun, baby signing, puppet shows, amazing light balls and so much more. Classes are designed specifically for babies from birth to 13 months.
To book your free trial session please contact Elizabeth Sales on 07590 425310 or emailnorthyorkshire@babysensory.co.
For more information please visit www.babysensory.com
Many thanks Elizabeth!