By Simona Nevieriene | Project leader
“I know from my own experience how bad it can be. You think that you are the worst mother, the worst wife, angry with yourself and blaming yourself for everything that you are not able to deal with perfectly, even for the fact that you can think like this at all. And I was thinking as you are now, and so did a lot of other women… You feel a great fear because right now you don't know when it's going to end and if it's going to end at all. I know how hard it is for you. I was in the same state, drowning in my depressed emotions and thoughts, twice. I know how bad it can be and what terrible, unrealistic scenarios the human mind can create. I want you to know that this is completely normal. The birth of a child is a huge change that turns a family's life upside down, especially for a woman, and the hormonal imbalance takes its toll.
Just know - there is help. Women, let yourself be weak at least for a while, it's not shame. With a little person I gave birth to, I was born again, much stronger and even significantly happier than I was before pregnancy. The crisis does not happen in vain, but to teach. There is help, don't be afraid, you are not alone.
You are an amazing woman, if you are reading this, you are already in the right place. You are the most wonderful mother and no matter what you feed your baby, he chose you for a reason, remember that.”
(from a letter of a woman suffering postpartum depression)
Thank you that with your support we can provide psychological help to women in their most difficult times!
We are also happy to announce that in October 14th Centre celebrated 9th year of our work.
During those 9 years we provided help to more than 2700 people (mostly women). We surely know that 522 children were born to mothers who got help here. Those 9 years remind us that sometimes asking for help can be life changing, as well as life changing can be helping others. This help can be expressed by so little as telling a few calming words and hugging or giving a phone number were someone can get help.
During the period of July - October 130 new people (115 women 15 men) and about 60 that get continuous help applied our Centre and asked for help. 485 consultations were provided to them and we got news of 22 babies born to women who got help at the Centre.
Most of the consultations provided were psychosocial –315, psychological – 118, doula – 12, gynaecologists - 4, 31 - other (psychiatrists, lawyers, geneticist, “buddies”). Centre delivered 17 baby layettes, 23 baby strollers, 7 baby beds, 5825 pieces of diapers, 25 packs of formula milk, more than 168 sets of clothes for babies and mothers and lots of (374pcs) hygiene items. 8 women received regular financial help needed to cover their living or medical expenses or we directly bought food to them. Other financial help was not periodical but one-time. Overall financial help was over 3000 euro.
We continue organizing a self-help group to women after delivery. During those 4 months we had 17 meetings. Women, with a guidance of postpartum doulas, were discussing different issues they were interested most at the moment: additional food to babies, sleeping regimes and habits, depressive moods, antidepressants, desperate emotions with close people, returning to work or studies, relationship with child’s father, different activities, games with babies and many other topics that were currently important to them. Several times we invited different specialist to that group – breastfeeding consultant, paediatrician and Montessori method specialist. In September we started 2 new self-help groups: 1 group to women suffering after miscarriages (already had 6 meetings) and 1 group to women facing pregnancy crisis (had 5 meetings).
In September we had annual 2 day volunteer and employee meeting. This meeting was not only for teambuilding, but our tam (25 people) participated in intensive professional seminar about anxiety in parenthood and about crisis pregnancy consulting. This annual meeting is of great importance to the climate of a joint team of employees and volunteers.
“I am one of those who have a panic fear of childbirth and pregnancy. If not your listening, talking, psychological support and group support, I don't think I would have made it at all. Pregnancy was extremely difficult for me, and so was a childbirth. Thank you very much. After pregnancy and childbirth, I feel much better, holding my whole little world in my arms. Thanks to you, I can enjoy life "
Thank you for contributing to successful stories like this! Your support was crucial in order we could provide free psychological consultations to such women.
With warm regards,
Krizinio neštumo centras team
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