Each pregnancy journey is different. For one mom, it can be exhilarating as she experiences the miracle of life unfolding before her. For another, it can be immensely stressful filled with dread and despair.
Yet for others, it can be a mixture of both: blissful yet with anxious moments here and there. Whatever your journey is, it helps to have someone with whom to process your thoughts and emotions. For that, you have pregnancy counseling.
What is pregnancy counseling?
The American Counseling Association defines counseling as “a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health."
In this case, the counselor helps the pregnant woman address the issues that are causing her emotional turmoil so she can cope. The counseling session is a safe space where she can do all these.
Benefits of pregnancy counseling
Counseling can help you in many ways. Here are some of the instances where pregnancy counseling can be beneficial for you:
- Preparation for childbirth and child care
- Unplanned pregnancies
- Processing of stress, pressure, and expectations
- financial concerns
- how the baby will affect your relationship
- what life will be like after giving birth
- body image
- Dealing with anxiety and depression
- Postpartum depression
- Childbirth trauma
- Helping those who have children with specific conditions like cleft lip, Down syndrome
- High-risk pregnancies
What to look for in pregnancy counseling
There are different organizations, doctors, and professional counselors that offer this service here in the country. To choose, look at the following characteristics:
- Services offered – Basically, what are they known for? Read reviews and see what other clients think of their services.
- Contact information – How do you reach them? Do they offer teleconsults these days?
6 pregnancy counseling services in the Philippines
Pregnancy Counseling Services
Image from REINTEGRATION FOR CARE & WHOLENESS FOUNDATION, INC. Facebook page
Founded in the year 2000, the Reintegration for Care & Wholeness Foundation, Inc. aims to “heal, nurture, and empower the Filipino care-giving soul by promoting personal transformation and psycho-spiritual integration."
These days, they offer a 3 types of programs: 1) counseling, coaching, and processing, 2) pshycho-educational programs, 3) outreach and support systems.
For pregnant ladies, you can try their counseling, coaching, and processing services. Under it is the psycho-spiritual coaching. RCW has no funding agencies, but thanks to its hardworking members and donors, it is able to sustain its operations.
- services
- Psycho-spiritual Counseling-Coaching
- contact information
Image from Philippine Mental Health Association website
PMHA is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization that provides premier mental health services. They do this through research, education, advocacy, and intervention.
They have local and international partnerships where they conduct training. At the same time, they have community-based services. Lastly, they also have individual consultations, where we believe pregnancy counseling concerns can be addressed.
- services
- local and international partnerships
- community-based services
- client services – individual consultations
- contact information
READ MORE:
7 ways to prepare your body before you plan your pregnancy
Giving birth? Here are the best maternity hospitals in the Philippines
8 gynecologists in the Philippines you should consider
Image from Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, Inc. website
Sometimes, women have unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. This is not limited to teenage girls, but even adult women who are separated, single, or in an abusive relationship may experience this. In cases like this, it’s good to know that Kaisahang Buhay Foundation or KBF is there to help you.
- services
- counseling services to help women come up with appropriate choices for the best interest of their child and themselves
- referral services linking pregnant teens and women to programs and services to appropriately respond to their present situation.
- contact information
Image from PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICES OF ASIA’s website
Pregnancy Support Services of Asia or PSSA is an interdenominational Christian association of life-affirming pregnancy resource centers in the country and the continent.
The non-profit has made life-saving services available including pregnancy crisis counseling using the Love approach and crisis intervention.
- services
- pregnancy crisis counseling with counselors trained on the Love approach
- crisis intervention services
- pregnancy tests
- host homes
- clothing/baby items
- community referrals
- natural family planning
- post-abortion healing and support
- group counseling therapy
- contact information
- Website here
- +63 932 883-3157 / +63 906 212 9110
- 151 Village East Avenue
Vilage East Executive Homes
Felix Avenue, Cainta, Rizal
Image from St. Luke’s Medical Center website.
The popular hospital does not only provide medical services such as delivery and postpartum care, but it also has a counseling service.
This is specifically for those who have a high-risk pregnancy. In fact, St. Luke’s has its own High-Risk Pregnancy Unit under the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.
- service
- high-risk pregnancy obstetrical counseling
- contact information
- St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City
- 8-789-7700
Screen shot from Gray Matters Psychological Center website
In response to the need for better access to mental health services, Gray Matters launched its online portal. Here, you can find access to different services carried out by licensed mental health professionals. The process is easy. You can find e-learning courses, digital assessment to help you learn about yourself, and of course, an online counseling and consultation.
- services
- e-learning classes
- digital asseesment
- online counseling
- contact information
- Penthouse A, South Gate Building,
Finance Drive, Madrigal Business Park,
Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City 1780
- (+63) 917 709 6961 (Clinical Division)
- email: [email protected] and [email protected]
