CBT with newborn baby present

[Matilda30]

Hi
I'm under the perinatal mental health team and have been since the start of my pregnancy due to anxiety/OCD/depression which I've suffered from for around 7 years I think. I'm now 32 weeks pregnant and have not received any CBT (or other treatments). It's now looking likely that I won't get my referral for CBT until baby is born but I don't know how I'm going to practically have the sessions with a newborn, as I have no one to look after him.

This is probably a long shot, but has anyone had experience of taking a baby to their therapy session, or any advice? My specialist midwife said I might be able to take baby to appts but this just seems really impractical.

Feeling very annoyed and thinking I'll just end up back on anti depressants, without the chance to really challenge the OCD.

Thanks

[slicedfinger]

I did group CBT via the nhs for a while and at the first session there were at least 4 women with tiny babies. They then did a different follow up from me, but I think the plan was to have their babies with them.

[Matilda30]

That's good to hear, thanks slicedfinger! I just imagine the baby to be very interruptive and it might be difficult to care for him if I get upset or if he gets upset and doesn't settle.

[Elledouble]

I've taken my baby to appointments, although not therapy. Our postnatal mental health unit actually has a crèche to leave children in during treatment, I realise we're lucky though.

[Sunflower1985]

I did/do take my baby/toddler to countless therapy appointments. I had postnatal anxiety surrounding not being able to leave him, so it really didn't seem like a choice. Some of the practitioners acted or said it would be better if I didn't but none have stopped my care because of it. Have breast/bottle on hand and be brave. Good luck op.

[Matilda30]

Thank you Sunflower, and everyone. I'll have to see how it goes I suppose.

[captaincake]

Our local mental health unit you can leave the baby to attend appointments. However I wouldn't leave a dog there after the way he was treated the first time I tried that so that wasn't an option. I have had to take him in to one appointment and it was difficult to be honest but I don't feel I would have got any more out of the appointment without him there so it was a success. My best guess is it'll be fine most of the time but there'll be the odd time he/she won't settle and it won't work but they can just reschedule? I send him to nursery so that I can go now that he's older.

[MummySparkle]

I've taken my 12mo to an appointment with my CPN, and I had to take both DCs to an appointment with a psych consultant when they were 2 and 6mobths. Personally I found it hard to talk in front of them, and they were constantly distracting me. But if you can get newborn settled then I think you'd be okay. Could you carry them in in their car seat and hope they aren't disturbed? My newborn slept in her seat when I had my coil fitted at the GP