The Journey of Parenthood

When does an individual become a parent?

For some people parenthood begins with the decision between two people, partners, to become parents.

The journey toward parenthood begins for some with first attempts at conceiving.

Others experience their first awareness of impending parenthood with the positive results of a pregnancy test.

The dawn of becoming a parent registers for many the first time a heart beat is heard, or movement is felt; or the baby is seen during an ultrasound.

Emotional responses to this earliest phase vary depending on a number of variables:

The ease of conception verses expectations
Anticipated versus unexpected pregnancies
Obstacles of infertility and medical challenges
Desires to become a parent and related apprehensions
Concerns about potential for miscarriage and birth defects
Questions about one’s personality, capacity and resources for parenting

Many expectant parents have difficulty asking for help during this period of emotional and physical changes because. . . parenthood is not really here yet.The concept of anticipating difficulties in adjusting to the life changes of parenting is contrary to societal expectations: having a baby is a joyful event and one naturally evolves into their new role.

The Journey of Parenthood Program

This program was initially created for the purpose of providing Early Intervention services starting in pregnancy with the goal of preventing and minimizing post-partum difficulties. The philosophy behind offering intervention at this early stage (prior to the birth) is to use this period of incubation (the pregnancy) to strengthen the couple’s communication, problem-solving, and ability to be resourceful and supportive to each other. Couples are the most receptive to new learning while the baby is in utero, and prior to experiencing the increased responsibilities and stresses of caring for their newborn. In many respects this is a natural time to take inventory of emotional preparedness for parenthood to confirm readiness for the challenges up ahead, or to receive a tune -up to strengthen their parental foundation. Just as many expectant parents reevaluate the adequacy of their physical space at this time, it is important to address any concerns that may drain emotional resources after the baby’s arrival.

Who may benefit from Early Intervention in The Journey of Parenthood?

If you or your partner are experiencing any of the following:

Ambivalence about the pregnancy
Concerns about becoming parents
Lifestyle changes
Challenges of combining career and family
Child Care concerns
Inadequate/Ineffective Parental Role Models
A history of mood disorders
Concerns about postpartum depression
Extended family’s involvement
Competing demands on personal time
Capacity to negotiate conflicts with one’s partner
Concerns about ability to form a supportive parental team
Difficulties bonding with your unborn child
Excessive concerns about miscarriage
Concerns about In Vitro Fertilization
Low Self-esteem
Excessive anxiety
Marital distancing
Concerns about ability to maintain spousal relationship while developing parental roles
Competition with baby’s needs for attention
Resentments of demands in caring for an infant

Can I expect my health care providers to tell me if I, or we could benefit from Early Intervention?

In rare cases, health care providers make referrals for early intervention; however, the majority attribute any signs of difficulty to normal anxiety about major life changes. Windows of opportunity are frequently missed by medical providers who focus primarily on diagnostic procedures to identify physical pathology and are less observant of emotional symptoms and their significance. Many expectant parents discover feelings of empowerment when they seek out these services based on self-awareness.

Many times, pediatricians, too, miss windows of opportunity for early intervention to strengthen the emotional resources of the newly formed family by commonly dismissing early adjustment difficulties to normal changes of having a baby, post-partum adjustment, and sleep deprivation. If you sense or are even wondering if there is more going on in your case, a consultation with the Early Intervention, Journey of Parenthood Program is an important step to take. New parents are often unaware that it is easier and quicker to attend to these issues when they first arise rather than waiting until their child is identified by child care providers as having a difficult temperament. The degree to which there is a good fit between parental temperaments and a child’s temperament is often a key factor in evolving behavioral difficulties. Yes, the Journey of Parenthood Program offers parent-infant consultations, and provides parental coaching to improve the goodness of fit between parents and child.

Reasons For Seeking Services from The Early Intervention, Journey of Parenthood Program:

Deciding Whether or Not to Have Children
Starting a Family; Trying to Conceive
Infertility Issues
Confirmed Pregnancy, Preparing for Changes
Conflicted Feelings About Pregnancy
Concerns About Being a Mother/Father
Excessive Worries about the Baby; Am I a good enough parent?
Questions About Balancing Career and Family
Child Care Decisions/Return to Work
Bonding Difficulties and Concerns
Parent-Child Separation Issues
Difficulty Responding to Baby’s Needs and/or Temperament
Geographic Isolation from Extended Family Support
How Do We Develop “Our Unique Style of Being Parents?”
Managing Involvement of Extended Family
Marital Conflict
How Do We Care for a Baby and Take Care of Our Marital Relationship
Issues of Sharing New Responsibilities
Physical and Emotional Adjustments, and Mood Swings
Planning for Subsequent Children
Identity Issues - Who am I now that I am a Mother or a Father?
We Want to be Good Parents but Don’t Know How Because “Baby Did Not Come With A Manual”