Support for Men
Early pregnancy loss
Men can sometimes be side-lined in the aftermath of early pregnancy loss.
It may well be that the focus of attention has been on your partner’s recovery. She has borne the brunt, in many ways, of this trauma, not least biologically. However the shock-waves of loss can affect you deeply too and this is entirely natural.
You may feel as though you need to be strong to support your partner, whilst suppressing your own feelings of sadness, despair, guilt…
Your behaviour may be different to your partner’s as you try to move on. For example, some men want to keep busy – this helps to divert attention away from difficult emotions. Whereas women may want to talk more openly about the loss and continue to show their sadness.
Recognising that men and women express their grief differently can help you to understand each other, especially if it feels that your relationship is coming under strain.
If you feel that you would like some support then talking to someone impartial about how you are really feeling can help. I can provide a non-judgemental, confidential space for you to talk things through – a safe outlet for your thoughts and feelings to help you through this.
If you look after yourself, then you can be there for your partner too.
Please feel free to message me with any questions or check availability via the contact page.
Post-natal depression
Becoming anxious or depressed in the post-natal period is not exclusive to women. Men are affected too.
Adjusting to a new arrival in the family shouldn’t be underestimated, it can be a difficult transitional stage for you as well as your partner, sometimes giving rise to unexpected moods.
You may well be exhausted, juggling work and family life and sometimes feel overwhelmed. You might struggle with irritability, anger, frustration, sadness, despair…
Or it may be that your partner is struggling to cope, possibly suffering herself with the debilitating illness which is post-natal depression. It can be frightening and very sad when someone you love is so unwell and it’s important to remember that these are symptoms of an illness which will disappear when she gets better.
You don’t have to struggle on your own. If you would like to talk through your own feelings, or to discuss how your partner’s illness is affecting you and how best to help, then please do get in touch.
You can send a message with any questions, or to check availability, via the contact page.