Genetic counselling
Counselling or psychotherapy involves the sharing of problems feelings and emotions about past or present events, or concerns perhaps for the future on a one to one basis. Generally the practitioner is an objective listener who facilitates the person's exploration of their issues without making judgements, or expressing their own points of view.
Counselling should ideally be in a quiet environment, where the person feels safe to discuss anything about themselves, their emotions or life circumstances. The therapist should be trained in some form of psychology and it is important that the client feels at ease with this person and trusts them. Counselling should always be confidential and some people need several sessions or long-term therapy, depending on their issues.
Pregnancy and parenting is a time of dramatic change and sometimes one of crisis for potential parents. Many women and partners find they need some form of counselling because their situation has involved stress, depression, grief, lifestyle changes, financial problems and / or relationship difficulties. Some people find talking to their friends, relatives or partners is enough. Others need an objective professional to bounce things off in a sense. Your caregiver may be able to help to a certain degree, or you may be able to access a hospital social worker free of charge, depending on their availability and your circumstances.
Genetic counselling
Genetic counselling may be required by some parents to help make decisions about conceiving, pregnancy tests or the course of their pregnancy. Genetic counsellors are trained to help couples
pre-conceptually to find out about the chances of conceiving a baby with an abnormality, or during early pregnancy to educate and help women and their partners make decisions about testing the baby for abnormalities.