Mums-to-be worried about giving birth naturally are to be offered psychiatric counselling under new draft guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).The NHS hopes to curb the number of mums-to-be opting

isolated and stressed, as well as riding a rollercoaster of emotions with all the appointments, scans, procedures and raised/dashed hopes to deal with.Counselling is a very good way of dealing with the emotions of fertility treatment in a safe, blameless

. Counselling and psychotherapy can help, as can massage and aromatherapy. But it's important to talk to your GP, health visitor, midwife or all three, and let them diagnose you. If your GP thinks you need antidepressants, but you're worried it may affect

picture. It may be that when bad things happen, like your labour, you blame yourself and think it's because you're a bad person. If you carry on feeling worried or depressed contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP

for Counselling and Psychotherapy, British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy or the British Psychoanalytic Council.

if they don’t need one medically. Women requesting a C-section birth will be told of the risks involved and offered counselling, but ultimately the decision to have the operation will fall with them. This decision is the result of fears expressed by mothers

can seem overwhelming. Don’t worry – you’re not the first to feel this way. ‘Expectations can be sky-high when you’re pregnant,’ says chartered counselling psychologist Jacqui Marson. ‘It’s easy to focus on the perfect picture of motherhood and forget

Homeopathic Association on 0870 444 3950 or trusthomeopathy.org.British Acupuncture Council on acupuncture.org.uk for a list of practitioners in your area.British Chiropractic Association: chiropractic-uk.co.ukBRITISH INFERTILITY COUNSELLING ASSOCIATION: bica

feelings that they experienced in the weeks and months following the abortion.Counselling may help you in this case.In fact, the chance of a previous termination affecting your future fertility is very small, unless the termination was complicated by post

, speak to your GP. They’ll be able to offer you support such as counselling.’ Tell your mum, partner or a close friend how you’re feeling. Just talking about your emotions can help you feel more in control and less isolated. In some cases, your GP might