Break Free from Maternal Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide for Pregnancy, Birth and the First Postnatal Year

Description

Severe anxiety affects a huge number of women in pregnancy and the postnatal period, making a challenging time even more difficult. You may be suffering from uncontrollable worries about pregnancy and birth, distressing intrusive thoughts of accidental or deliberate harm to the baby, or fears connected to traumatic experiences. This practical self-help guide provides an active route out of feeling anxious. Step-by-step, the book teaches you to apply cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques in the particular context of pregnancy and becoming a new parent in order to overcome maternal anxiety in all its forms. Working through the book you will gain understanding of your anxiety and how factors from the past and present may be playing a role in how you feel. Together with practical exercises and worksheets to move through at your own pace, you will gain the tools you need to help you move forward and enjoy parenthood.

Dr Fiona Challacombe is a Lecturer in Perinatal Psychology in the Section of Women's Mental Health at the IOPPN, King's College London and a Clinical Psychologist at the Centre for Anxiety Disorders & Trauma, Maudsley Hospital, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust. Dr Catherine Green is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Perinatal Mental Health Service, South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust. Dr Victoria Bream is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Oxford Health Specialist Psychological Interventions Clinic & Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

'Having a baby is undoubtedly one of the most powerful experiences of life. Alongside joyful emotions, it is understandable that it may lead to more upsetting ones as well, and most people are now aware of the possibility of post-natal depression. This book addresses the less discussed, but more common, impact of significant anxiety problems surrounding pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. It lays out, with admirable clarity, the different forms this anxiety might take and provides guidance for how to deal with each of these, based on established cognitive behavioural principles. The book maintains a straightforward and compassionate approach, wearing its expertise lightly. It will be invaluable to all parents, whether it is your first child or a later one, and offers both the hope and practical advice we all need to break free from anxiety at this precious time.' Nick Grey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 'This comprehensive self-help book on all forms of anxiety during pregnancy and the year after birth is a must-read for women with anxiety problems during this period. This up-to-date evidence-based resource, written by leading perinatal psychologists using cognitive-behavioural principles, explores how to cope with excessive worries about pregnancy and becoming a mother, phobias such as needle phobia, pandemic-related anxieties, panic attacks, fears after traumatic experiences such as fear of childbirth, bonding concerns and more. Women will welcome the non-judgmental, supportive and wise words in this much needed resource, as well as the self-help exercises included in every chapter. If you fear you will not be able to cope with anxiety in the perinatal period, this really is the book for you!' Louise M. Howard, NIHR Research Professor in Women's Mental Health and NIHR Senior Investigator, Section of Women's Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London 'Finally! A clear, thoughtful and accessible guide for understanding and tackling anxieties and fears in pregnancy and with a new baby. Many parents will recognise their struggles in this book. The authors are world-leading experts on perinatal anxiety, having worked clinically with many parents and guiding the way on clinical research in the area. Their wisdom is here. There's a set of strategies for everyone. Don't wait, take the first step towards feeling free from perinatal anxiety and fear and finding your path towards being the parent you want and deserve to be.' Heather O'Mahen, Professor in Perinatal Clinical Psychology, University of Exeter, NHS England National Clinical Advisor to Perinatal Mental Health 'This is a wonderful and much needed book by leaders in the field of perinatal mental health. Until recently perinatal anxiety has been a neglected area. This is despite the fact that one in five will suffer from one or more anxiety or anxiety-related condition during the perinatal period. Although our understanding of perinatal anxiety has increased, few evidence-based self-help books have been published. This book provides state-of-the art, evidence-based recommendations for overcoming anxiety during the perinatal period. It is sophisticated but easy to read and follow. I am very impressed by this book and will definitely recommend it to my clients.' Nichole Fairbrother, PhD, RPsych, CACBT-ACTCC Certified Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and Founding Member, Clinical Associate Professor and MSFHR Health Professional-Investigator, University of British Columbia, Victoria