Women’s Reproductive Mental Health Services

Loss and trauma related to pregnancy and childbirth can present unexpected and unique detours in our life’s journey to create a family of our own. Often these losses feel as though our lifelong dreams and expectations of having our own family have been shattered, at the very least derailed!

These hopes and dreams are often shared by those closest to us, our best support system. But when a loss occurs, our support system is also grieving. Sometimes those closest to us grieve in ways that are very different from us or in ways that are difficult for us to understand while we are in the midst of our own grief. Culturally and socially, we are often allowed less time to grieve than is realistic relative to the nature of the loss and the grief process.

Additional challenges can include the medical aspects of infertility and reproductive issues and social challenges. The personal, intimate, and romantic nature of reproductive issues can feel further violated by the medical procedures and processes we’re told are needed to help us accomplish our dreams.

Re-conceptualizing self and family after such an event can feel overwhelming. Knowledgeable support and guidance for this process is available. Dr. Kimberly Kilgore can work with you individually, your partner or family, and/or in supportive group settings. Dr. Kilgore incorporates techniques beyond traditional Cognitive Behavioral approaches in addressing reproductive issues and losses; working toward rebuilding and renewing the hopes and dreams that encompass our conception of family.

If you, or someone you love, may be struggling with the loss of a pregnancy or child, trauma during a pregnancy or infertility, support is available. Please contact Dr. Kilgore for a free initial consultation if the following symptoms seem overwhelming or last more than a month or two:

– Extreme sadness
– Increased tearfulness
– Negative or self-deprecating thoughts
– Poor concentration
– Low motivation
– Lack of interest in yourself and others who are important to you
– Disrupted sleep (too much or too little)
– Disrupted appetite or weight changes (again, too much or too little)

If you have experienced thoughts of suicide, please contact Dr. Kilgore or another health care professional for an evaluation as soon as possible.

Kimberly M. Kilgore, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist can be contacted to arrange an appointment at 402.325.0117 ext. 2. or by secure email.