Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for pregnancy when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Pregnancy
People with pregnancy are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar pregnancy patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Pregnancy Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about pregnancy treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of pregnancy ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with pregnancy
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing pregnancy
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to pregnancy recovery
MI in Pregnancy Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many pregnancy treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.