Becoming a Parent

Jackie Ganley is a Clinical Psychologistwith the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. She has worked in primary health care with GPs, health visitors, midwives and psychiatric nurses for a number of years. She has two young children.

• About the author. Preface.Acknowledgements.1. Deciding on parenthood.What are we letting ourselves in for?What does it mean to be a family?What does it mean to be a mother? Changes for women.The tasks of parenting.The needs of parents.Isn’t the decision different for everyone?What if I don’t become pregnant?Who can help?Discussion points.2. Conception.Conception: the other side of family planning.Discovering you are pregnant.When pregnancy doesn’t happen.Infertility.Taking a different path.The emotional impact of fertility problems and treatments.Who can help?Discussion points.3. The stages of pregnancy.Introduction.The first few weeks: fears and acceptance.Morning sickness.How to cope with morning sickness.‘I still can’t believe I’m pregnant’: the increasing role of technology in our experience of pregnancy.Getting rid of bad habits: drinking and smoking issues.Miscarriage.A time for change.The mid-pregnancy: making plans.‘I haven’t had a chance to think about my pregnancy’: building a relationship with the baby.The pregnancy coming to an end.‘I still don’t think I’m ready to be a parent’: changing roles for all.Who can help?Discussion points.4. Specific psychological difficulties in pregnancy.But don’t we all feel fed-up at some point?Depression in pregnancy.Anxiety and panic attacks during pregnancy.Eating disorders and body image.Substance use, aggression and acting out.Survivors of childhood sexual abuse.Looking beyond pregnancy.Who can help?5. Birth.So what exactly is a domino? The choices and decisions surrounding birth.Labour.What can I do about the pain?Feeling involved in your labour.Complications and loss.Who can help?Discussion points.6. The first few days.Your baby arrives at last!Forming a relationship with your new baby.Caring for your baby: feeding, sleeping and being held.Babies requiring special care.The experience of new parents.‘Baby blues’, post-natal depression and post-partum psychosis: complicated reactions to having a baby.Baby blues?Those first few days!Who can help?Discussion points.7. The first six weeks.Feeding your baby.Crying.Sleeping.Interacting, exploring and learning.Changing relationships.The recovery of the mother.What is post-natal depression?Getting help with post-natal problems.Who can help?Discussion points.8. Managing anxiety and depression.Understanding and coping with stress and anxiety.How does anxiety affect people’s lives?What causes anxiety problems?‘How can I cope with anxiety/manage my life differently?’Understanding and coping with depression.Step1: ‘Why am I depressed at the moment?’ Identifying problems.Step 2: Learning new skills.Who can help?9. The journey that never ends.Looking ahead.The new ‘me’.Addresses of useful organizations.Designing diaries: Anxiety, depression, drinking.References.Index.

“…well written…” (RCM Mid-month supplement, News and Appointments, February 2005)