Jessica Wood had longed to be a mum but when her little miracle arrived in February those early weeks were tough.
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Lack of sleep took its toll on the Dubbo woman and she felt the "dark clouds of postnatal depression" begin to descend.
But in her time of need Mrs Wood found dedicated Tresillian nurses at Dubbo.
She credits them as making all the difference in her parenting journey.
"Simply put, I could not be the mother I am today without the help of Tresillian, as well as of course my husband and family," Mrs Wood said.
The mum of baby William shared her moving story at the Tresillian in Western Family Care Centre open day on Friday.
Mrs Wood said she and husband James had turned to IVF in May last year.
"Being a mother had always been the most important thing to look forward to throughout my life, and so I felt an added pressure that I had wanted this child so much and had also gone through extended medical treatment to have William," she said.
Mrs Wood said she had always thought if she read the books and had everything planned out, she would be able to be "a perfect parent".
"I wasn't going to be one of those parents who let a baby change my life, I was in control and I could make it perfect," she said.
"And then the baby was born.
"Suddenly my preciously-controlled world order fell apart."
Caring Mr Wood had reached out to family health nurses to form a support network for his wife, and it was suggested Mrs Wood attend Tresillian's Getting to Know You class.
From the first moment of arriving, the new mum felt "welcomed and supported".
The six-week class provided practical help, giving "the start of a framework in which to respond to your baby's needs".
It was a first step in building back up my shattered confidence that I was going to be an OK parent.
- Jess Wood
"It was a first step in building back up my shattered confidence that I was going to be an OK parent," Mrs Wood said.
"By the end of the six weeks, I had learnt so much from Marsha and had developed a stronger bond with my son.
"He had started sleeping for longer periods and I wasn't second-guessing myself so much."
Mrs Wood then took part in the Circle of Security course, which she said allowed parents to see the world through their child's eyes and respond to their needs accordingly.
"It also gives you permission to relinquish perfection," she said.
"No parent is perfect and it is an impossible and ill-advised goal to aspire to.
"We will make mistakes and so will our children, but by learning from these mistakes, they are able to grow as a whole person."
Mrs Wood encouraged other parents to use the services of Tresillian, and for everyone to spread the word about the "wonderful facility".
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Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
