Hope and support for Birth Trauma & Perinatal PTSD
Today is World Mental Health Day. Many people are sharing their stories about the reality of living with mental health. Why is this important? Because by sharing our stories and uniting our voices we can be the change needed to
Read more
Over the last few years, I have been privileged to be part of some very important discussions around supporting parents and families within healthcare. As a patient rep, it is always a bit daunting to try to have your voice
Read more
We sometimes go through things in life that completely change us as a person. Sometimes it changes things for the better, sometimes the worst and sometimes it’s both! For me this is certainly true, when I had my first daughter
Read more
The room is beautiful. Soft hues of yellow shine light like prisms of sunlight. The bed is big and inviting the type you want to fall into, its softness enveloping you like a warm embrace. The walls whisper words of
Read moreDespite the fact that birth trauma seems to have more awareness, inside my heart feels heavy. I spend my days listening to the stories of those affected by the birth of their babies and see the pain that is etched
Read moreUnless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. Dr Seuss I care I really do. I care when I see those that feel lost and alone, I care about those that
Read moreThere has been a lot of talk recently about continuity of carer in maternity services and the difference it can make it women, babies and families. The National Maternity Review report, “Better Births’ said that ‘some midwives had commented positively
Read moreI wipe the dust from the top of the flowery box. It had to happen, the bringing out of the baby photos to groans of embarrassment from my daughter, to the delight of her new boyfriend. The pictures laid out
Read moreDear You I know You don’t remember me. I am but one face You have cared for over many springs, summers, autumns and winters, just a number on a wristband, one of many that graced your path. But you see
Read moreEveryday I sit with another woman. The pain is etched across her face, tears fall from red swollen eyes and words tumble, revealing the trauma that is leaving its mark. Birth trauma is in many ways finally be recognised, more
Read moreMy hands burned, my arms heavy and painful. I stop and try to catch my breath. My heart pounding. I close my eyes I can do this, my baby needs me and so I grabbed again the wheels of my
Read more
This is Louise’s story of her healing third birth at home. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self-care as everyone will be at different stages of healing. If you wish
Read more
This is Kirsty’s story of the birth of her beautiful twin boys at 29 weeks, the journey of neonatal and after, and how sharing our stories can help others. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and
Read moreSupporting Perinatal Mental Health is vital for families. Prevention matters. This can start by improving our Maternity Services. How can this be done? Firstly we must acknowledge the role that the birth experience plays in emotionally wellbeing and how a
Read moreWhen it comes to mental health and wellbeing we know that too much stress is bad for anyone. Stress causes cortisol to surge around the body and can leave anyone suffering with it’s really unpleasant side effects. For a woman
Read more
This is Amanda’s story of how EMDR provided the support she needed to start her journey to healing from Birth Trauma Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self-care as everyone
Read more
This is Stacey’s story of how family provided the support she needed to start her journey to healing from Birth Trauma Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self-care as everyone
Read more
The moving story of Kerry and her traumatic birth but how she now helps others to feel less alone. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self-care as everyone will be
Read more
This is the story of Ruth and Cait. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self-care as everyone will be at different stages of healing. If you wish to contribute a
Read more
This is Sheryl’s story of a healing birth after birth trauma and how hypnobirthing supported her. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self-care as everyone will be at different stages
Read more“Awareness is like the sun, when it shines on things they are transformed” Emma Jane Sasaru Despite maternal mental health being more in the news and on the national agenda perinatal mental health being addressed, when it comes to the
Read more“Let your scars become wings that carry you out of the darkness and into the glorious light” Emma Jane Cushnan u The birth of my first daughter changed my life, it changed me. As the lights passed above me as
Read moreNever doubt the difference you can make to someone’s life. I am involved in a number of projects nationally and I love having new challenges and opportunities. I have over 20 years of experience of living with Birth Trauma, perinatal
Read more
Faces of Birth Trauma is a project to raise awareness of the diversity of birth trauma. Birth trauma can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, how old you are, what you do for a job or your economic
Read more
This is the brave and moving story of Angela and her battle to survive HELLP syndrome and how it has affected her life. It is very difficult reading and helps us to see how important it is to listen to
Read moreAs I look around the room, there are mums and babies everywhere. They are smiling and happy. They chat, discussing if their little one is sleeping through, or sitting up yet. I stare at them, looking for a trace or
Read more
Madeleine’s beautiful poem about the birth of her son. Finding you Sleep disturbed, the waters broke, It was still in that moment, You were on your way, A bag bursting, An empty car seat, flip-flops, an old nightdress, Hurried
Read more
This story is from Julie who wanted to share her story about her experience of having birth trauma and PTSD, how it impacted her mental wellbeing, how therapy has helped her overcome PTSD and how she now helps others.
Read more
This story is from Kathryn, who wanted to share her story about her experience of having placenta previa and placenta accreta the complications that followed. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories and emotions so remember your own self
Read more
This story is from brave Lucy, who wanted to share her story about her experience of having a difficult birth with her baby and how it impacted her emotional well-being. Please be aware that some stories may trigger difficult memories
Read more