Pregnancy and the time following the birth of a baby are vulnerable times for all women and their families. It may also be a time of increased stress due to the changes that accompany such a major life event. This time requires adjustments and adaptations to the many changes that follow the birth of a child.
 
Becoming a parent may also trigger strong emotional feelings from your own early experience of being parented. These experiences may influence the way your think and feel about your infant and respond to your child. 

If you are experiencing some of the following distressing feelings we encourage you to discuss your experience with a health professional.

• Feelings of sadness
• Tearfulness
• Social withdrawal
• Lack of enjoyment in parenting
• Not feeling bonded with your baby
• Not enjoying your baby
• Feeling disconnected from your baby as if it is not your own
• Difficulty limit-setting
• Irritability and a decreased frustration tolerance
• Increased marital conflict or disconnection
• Poor communication in your marital relationship
• Feelings of guilt, particularly about your capacity to parent
• Feeling overwhelmed (“This is too much”)
• Wishing to return to a previous life before baby
• Not wanting to be pregnant
• Thoughts of harming self or baby