Tag: early maternity care

How To Navigate Divorce While Pregnant? There’s A Lot To Consider

I saw this article and thought even though it’s something you don’t want to talk about when you find out your pregnant sometimes it’s a reality. It’s unfortunate, but sometimes, it happens. You might find yourself splitting from your partner, but you also happen to be pregnant, too. Just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean that you should defer your divorce, though, especially if you have a valid reason for wanting to part ways. Still, it can be challenging to know how to navigate divorce while pregnant. If you’re facing this sticky situation, here’s what you need to know.

Sure, divorce can be difficult in and of itself, but then add on a pregnancy and it can be downright devastating. But before you dive right into the divorce proceedings, you’ll need to make yourself (and your unborn baby) the top priority. “First and foremost, you must make certain that the mother-to-be stays healthy both physically and emotionally,” Evan R. Weinstein, Esq. of Weinstein Lindemann & Weinstein, explains to Romper. “The pregnancy exists separate and apart from any marital or interpersonal discord between the parents and the outcome of a divorce is certainly less important than the health of the mother-to-be.”

That said, once you’ve made the definitive decision to divorce, you should set yourself up with a lawyer — stat. “If you are pregnant and considering divorce, you should confer with an attorney immediately,” Tracy Julian, Esq. an attorney with Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, explains to Romper. “It will be important to understand your rights, the rights of the baby, and the rights of the father with regard to custody and parenting time.”

In some ways, pursing a divorce while pregnant doesn’t differ all that much from when you already have children. “The same issues of custody, parenting time, and financial support would exist regardless of whether the mother-to-be has other children,” advises Weinstein. But something that needs to be considered is naming your unborn baby. “Hopefully, consent can be obtained from both parties before child birth as to both the first and last name and how the name will appear on the birth certificate,” says Weinstein. Similarly, if you and your partner have different faiths (or one of you is non-religious), you’ll need to discuss any potential faith-based ceremonies prior to the baby’s birth.

If you’re on good terms with your partner, it’s also ideal to communicate your needs and expectations regarding a birth plan and who will be at the hospital for the delivery. “It would be preferable for the parents to agree upon a parenting time schedule for the time period after the baby leaves the hospital as well,” says Julian. “If the parties are unable to agree, it would be best to resolve any disputes regarding these issues prior to the birth of the baby to avoid urgent court applications while welcoming the child into the world.”

Another big factor to take into consideration before entering into divorce proceedings is insurance issues. “If the pregnant person is covered by their spouse’s health insurance and they get divorced, that health insurance will be revoked the moment they are divorced,” Russell D. Knight, a divorce lawyer in Chicago, IL, tells Romper. “This could pose a grave risk to both the mother and the unborn child.” So if you are under your spouse’s insurance (and still need the coverage for prenatal visits and to deliver your baby), you might want to hold off on the divorce until after your child is born or you’ve had enough time to get an insurance plan in your name.

If it’s at all possible, you might want to wait until after your baby is born to get a divorce. “Having a baby and having a divorce are both massive undertakings,” says Knight. “And only one of them can wait — the divorce.” So look at the bigger picture (as well as all the fine line details) to determine the correct timing of your divorce. That way, you can ensure that everyone’s rights — especially yours and your baby’s— are protected.

Experts:

Evan R. Weinstein, Esq. of Weinstein Lindemann & Weinstein

Tracy Julian, Esq. attorney with Pashman Stein Walder Hayden

Russell D. Knight, divorce lawyer in Chicago, IL

It’s Here!,Telling You’re Stories With Trina. Podcast

I’m so excited, but a little nervous about starting my first podcast. I believe we don’t talk enough about certain issues and some we give to much attention. My objective is to enlighten those who don’t know the signs and statistics of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and maternal health care issues. Telling the stories of those who have been traumatized and victimized, and just bringing together those professionals who can shed some light on these issues and help heal an bring about awareness and prevention. I hope you will join me weekly as we discuss these and other topics on Telling You’re Stories With Trina. Listen on Spotify.

Is Drinking Alcohol During Early Pregnancy Healthy.

I’m an advocate for maternal healthcare and my goal is to encourage new an current moms to work at having a healthy pregnancy and holding off on any habit that may hinder you from delivering a healthy baby. I say this article and decided to share it with you, enjoy. While many public health campaigns maintain zero tolerance when it comes to alcohol and pregnancy, learn what the research actually tells us.
— Read on www.verywellfamily.com/drinking-in-early-pregnancy-2757505

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It’s Time To Get Excited About Pregnancy.

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Moms & Dads Should Be Monitored Together for Postpartum Depression.

A new study found that even mild, long-term depressive symptoms among moms lead to emotional problems for kids. Researchers also pointed out that one parent’s depression puts the other at risk.

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Source: Maressa Brown

The more we talk about mental health, the better—especially when it comes to expectant and new parents. After all, one parent’s struggle with depression puts the other at risk—and can affect a child’s emotional well-being, too. That’s the conclusion of a new study out of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Using data collected from the Children’s Sleep and Health study—in which over 1,600 expecting families in Finland were studied from the final stages of pregnancy through to when the child turned five—researchers looked at how depressive symptoms of both parents affected a child at ages two and five. They concluded that a dad’s depression lead to emotional problems for a child, such as hyperactivity, aggressiveness and anxiety, only if the mom was depressed, as well. Meanwhile, mom’s depressive symptoms, even if they were considered “mild,” affected the child regardless of a father’s depression.

Visiting Researcher Johanna Pietikäinen from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said in a press release on the study, “In families, depression experienced by the mother has a key impact on the child’s well-being.” The researchers recommend health care providers pay attention to depressive symptoms among moms from the time they’re pregnant through the child’s first birthday.

The researcher also pointed out that not only does suffering from depression before pregnancy put one at risk for moderate to severe depression during and after those nine months, but one partner’s depressive symptoms put the other partner at risk, as well. For that reason, the mental well-being of both parents should be monitored during pregnancy and after the baby is born. If one partner appears to be suffering from depression, the other should be examined.

This recommendation is particularly newsworthy, as Pietikäinen explained that “fathers’ psychological well-being is not necessarily covered by depression questionnaires in maternity clinics.”

Researchers also pinpointed the following as risk factors: sleep deprivation during pregnancy, stress, anxiety and a bad family

“Depression among parents both during and after pregnancy not only affects the person suffering from depression but also has a long-term impact on the well-being of the newborn child,” Pietikäinen explained. “Even in cases of mild depression, it is important that the symptoms are identified and the parents are offered support as early as possible, if necessary already during the pregnancy.”