Body-mediated intervention with pregnant women: guidelines and fundamentals

Abstract

This article approaches some theoretical notions that support a prophylactic and therapeutic intervention with pregnant women, through body mediation. Considering that the processes related to motherhood can make it difficult for the pregnant woman to accept their own body and the construction of their mother's identity, we present the psychocorporeal changes inherent to this period, as well as the importance of establishing an empathic relationship between mother and the child inside. Based on this framework, we approach theoretical and practical indications that support the relevance of the use of corporeality and body mediation in the acceptance and use of the pregnant woman's body in daily life. Thus, final considerations include some guidelines that allows psychomotor therapist, occupational therapists and others, to reflect on how to support a pregnant woman to accept her new body in the surrounding environments and contexts, in order to facilitate the process of thinking, imagining and desiring the child.