Written by Louise Portafaix, psychologist specialising in perinatal care - Updated on Jul 25, 2024
By Louise Portafaix - Psychologist specialized in perinatal care
©MélissaJean
Becoming a mother and perceiving oneself as such involves significant psychic work. Indeed, maternity would resemble a period of identity crisis and maturation that would reactivate particularly intense childhood experiences, primary anxieties, as well as original fantasies. It would be a new organization of the woman's psyche.
Questions such as « How does one become a mother? », « What kind of mother did I have? », « What kind of mother do I want to be? », « What kind of baby was I? », « What kind of baby do I want to have? » may arise and come to challenge the woman in her maternity.
©MélissaJean
The difficulties linked to maternity are still hard to grasp by society. Furthermore, it is important to be aware that this period is not step always easy to experience whether it is mentally or physically and that it is normal to have moments of doubt oranxiety. Allow yourself to consult professionals (midwives, childcare assistants, gynecologists, psychologists, osteopaths...) to support you during this very special time of motherhood.
The main advice to give a expectant mother would be to listen to herself, to listen to her needs and desires, to take the time to connect with this new body, this new reality, and to be kind to herself.
Inform yourself if you want to, listen to podcasts if you need to, but above all do what gives you pleasure. Remember that every woman is unique and will experience this journey in a different way.
« You are not born a mother, you become one »
PS: on your baby registry, add gifts for you (a postnatal massage, a facial treatment, a restaurant, a manicure, a hairdresser appointment, an osteopathy session, ...)
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