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    "result": {"data":{"sanityArticle":{"title":"Adjusting to the challenges of parenthood","_type":"article","datePublished":"22 February 2022","header":{"background":{"value":"#E1F9F7"},"headline":"Adjusting to the challenges of parenthood","text":[{"_key":"31f0ff3bc332","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c264825825d5","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"First-time pregnancy and parenthood is a time of great change. It is common for new parents to experience a range of emotions, both positive and negative, in response to these changes. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-e0494ec24c390b3a31146abe9b2c8df3f58c6672-2500x1667-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":"Mum breastfeeding on the couch"}},"content":[{"_key":"c4b5b77f27c8","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d4b928279f94","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Many people find that pregnancy or having a baby is more challenging than they anticipated – this is a common experience of re-adjustment."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"02d1cd27d420","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"71a293279514","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"For some however, the challenges become overwhelming. When this occurs, it is important to seek help. There are a range of health and community services that can assist you and there are many things that can be done, on a personal level, to reduce stress."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b953f5e1fca4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a852e827eacb","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Challenges faced by new parents"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"1bf57e2e509d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5c43c9de4c840","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Exhaustion while adapting to a demanding sleep/feed schedule"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e26bff594e56","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e96bd978480f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Physical demands of breastfeeding – pain associated with latching-on, cracked nipples and mastitis"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d84b73f4cd55","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7dfd29e73d05","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Recovery from birth whilst caring for a newborn"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fd3084bb10eb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d50b43b2953d","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The demands of running a household while managing your own and baby’s needs"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"041cb7bbfbd9","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a5bb3bc06c4a","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Lack of confidence in your ability to understand baby’s needs"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f7506a4f76f3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cd8a4b69b723","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Navigating the expectations and advice of family and friends"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"41fb93b011da","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"08cf2d83cdd9","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Change to your personal identity – this can include loss of your work role and status; loss of social life, loss of sense of freedom"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"9c38e7369c32","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a92a55a5f0c9","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Change in your relationship with your partner – this can include negotiating differing ideas on how to care for baby; changes in attitude and needs towards physical intimacy"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"941e47731bc3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d07ca03c5c22","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Change in family dynamics with the addition of another baby."}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4dc48c93ea83","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e9a935e97da3","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Asking for help"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"f20b747eeafe","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"22ceab518dc40","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Many people have trouble asking for help. You may feel shame because you aren't coping with their new baby, or guilt because you feel frustrated and resentful. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4595934cddc6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1cf4a9fc69dd","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Recognise that the arrival of a baby can trigger many complex thoughts and feelings including a sense of loss for your ‘old’ self or life. We encourage you to recognise and acknowledge both the joy and distress that can be experienced; and we help new parents and their families work through the more difficult emotions."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"250b56a57b80","_type":"quote","quote":"It is common for new parents to experience a range of emotions, both positive and negative, in response to the challenges of new parenthood."},{"_key":"30906d63ea44","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b51e63e2a1820","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"What can help"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"c789c503457b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ce2b22ab2bbf0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Keep realistic expectations – resist media representations of parenting"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2be2d437d070","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"68d86cfcfa61","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Try not to be swamped by parenting information. Trust that you are learning how to best look after your baby. This takes time"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"538ee179bc45","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"8597ca591a5e","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Allow yourself time to learn through experience. Don’t judge yourself harshly against others’ expectations"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ae22e8accea6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"717b42744941","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Have one or two trusted sources of independent information – a GP, a child health nurse, a supportive and non-judgemental friend or family member"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d8ffdc6a2bbb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1bdf4e5bf56f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Take care of your own health; it is just as important as your baby’s"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5f2f1325111d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"41adf7f9e38f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Try to arrange some time out for yourself."}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c37ac1c1fadb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d2de09aab9d20","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Support in the Community"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"e802b0eeeba4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"874277a9165f0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"You can find information about health services, support services and networks, and activities for new parents through the PANDA website or Helpline. These include:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b0fd4714aec7","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ee1ebd889a7e","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Local playgroups"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c17fc060aa57","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9369e872141f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Parenting skills and support programs"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"de52415d256f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"94a61b0eee04","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Counselling services"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"51c2589bccee","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"2ee624649dac","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Mental health services"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a5fe5e581c6b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"48acbbc5c25f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"In-home support services"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"9e5aaa486f65","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f6d6a06f74f0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Home assistance and nanny services "}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"9258a3618d0c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"509c1500addd","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Complementary health services"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"09f4c9da3e5d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d70ea1b1982a","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Maternal and child health clinics"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"1c1a9e4a87dc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"261b255dcadf","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Support, information and peer services for the LGBTIQ community"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"427b3e4d13e0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"dbb47a93e690","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Young parents’ support groups "}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"31ef9eec53e1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"101783715927","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Information for new parents from diverse cultural backgrounds"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"cef49f420658","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5213a3393bc4","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander services."}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"sidebarTitle":"Helpful Information","sidebarPosts":[],"modules":[{"_key":"3825049c09ea","_type":"fileCollection","include":null,"title":"Downloads","files":[{"title":"Mental health in early parenthood and pregnancy","file":{"asset":{"url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/files/2eln2asx/production/d3195f81843348e5a648c625e86bd36352401e82.pdf"}},"cta":"Download","background":{"value":"#FFE4C9"}},{"title":"Adjusting to the challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood","file":{"asset":{"url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/files/2eln2asx/production/5cdbe2d570d2d87b2d3460352891e90e5ac21319.pdf"}},"cta":"Download","background":{"value":"#FFE4C9"}}]},{"_key":"f01aef5b71aa","_type":"storyCollection","include":null,"eyebrow":"Stories","title":null,"population":"latest","storyType":null,"posts":[],"profiles":[],"background":{"value":"#FFA688"},"categoryOrTag":{"_type":"category","title":"New parent","slug":{"current":"new-parent"}}},{"_key":"0b9713a4d43f","_type":"helpLine","include":null}],"relatedArticles":[],"showFeedbackForm":true,"seo":{"metaTitle":"Adjusting to the challenges of parenthood","metaDescription":"Many people find that pregnancy or having a baby is more challenging than they anticipated – this is a common experience of re-adjustment.","socialImage":{"asset":{"_id":"image-a91646c237904b0f87cf93bf3d97eed4e309529e-1200x630-png"}}}}},"pageContext":{"slug":"adjusting-to-the-challenges-of-parenthood","isArticle":true,"lastMod":"2024-07-11"}},
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