Preterm Birth

What is Preterm Birth?

Preterm birth refers to the delivery of a baby, either naturally or via planned intervention due to complications, before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Managing emotions in the case of preterm birth

When a baby is born prematurely, it may require hospitalization for additional medical care and support. The length of the hospitalization will depend on the baby’s gestational age, health, and medical needs.

The period spent in the hospital with a preterm infant can be an extremely challenging and demanding time for parents, both practically and emotionally. Parents may need time to adjust to a sudden change in circumstances, where visits to their baby are limited to specific hours of the day.

This situation can give rise to a range of emotions. Parents might feel joy and gratitude for the arrival of their baby and relief that the baby is receiving the necessary medical care. However, they may also experience frustration with themselves or the medical team, sadness and disappointment that the birth did not unfold as they had imagined, and intense anxiety and fear for their baby’s health.

In some cases, individuals may experience psychological trauma as a result of preterm birth (for more information on Birth Trauma and Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, please refer here).

Additionally, beyond emotional challenges, parents must also cope with the physical changes following childbirth.

Given these circumstances, parents must receive comprehensive guidance and support from the medical staff. Many parents also benefit from psychological support to help them manage the difficult emotions while their baby remains in the hospital.

Psychotherapy

In our therapy sessions, we will carefully explore the psychological impact of preterm birth. Using evidence-based therapeutic methods, we will develop a personalized treatment plan to support your emotional adjustment during this challenging time.

For further details about my therapeutic approach, please refer to the relevant section.

Additionally, we prioritize collaboration with your obstetrician to ensure that your physical needs are fully integrated into the therapy process, offering comprehensive and holistic support.

 

Resources on Preterm Birth

Free application for the support of parents with premature babies:

 

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For further information on how we can cooperate in the frame of psychotherapy, you can contact me:

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