For many women, pregnancy isn?t all glowing skin and playing baby Mozart to their growing bellies. First-time mom Kayla Morton recalls that, for her, pregnancy was also about ?feeling betrayed by my changing body, worrying about my capacity to put a small human?s needs before my own and legitimate fear about my body?s ability to survive childbirth.?
Prenatal counselling provided a safe space for Morton to talk about these often not talked about concerns. Her only regret is that she didn?t go sooner. ?I didn?t really know this kind of help was available,? admits the 32-year-old Vancouverite. Her lack of knowledge isn?t surprising?unlike other types of therapy used during the prenatal period (like massage for an achy back or physiotherapy for pelvic floor pain), prenatal counselling is often misunderstood and underutilized. It wasn?t until a friend recommended her own prenatal counsellor that Morton took the plunge and made an appointment. So what is prenatal counselling"

According to Shannon Kane, owner of Birth Narratives Counselling in Calgary, the transition to parenthood can result in ?a lot of joy mixed in with loss and fear.? Prenatal counselling helps women sort through these conflicting emotions, bolstering mental wellness while baby is still in the womb. But it?s not just for soon-to-be moms?it?s also great for partners and for families with another kid (or two) in tow.

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