From the moment you discover you are expecting a baby, life is never quite the same again. And alongside the joy and excitement, it can also be an anxious - even frightening - time
Up to 27 percent of new or expectant mums will experience perinatal mental health difficulties during pregnancy or during the first year after birth. These challenges can arise following miscarriage, trauma during childbirth or the loss of a very young baby. Mothers with a history of mental health problems, or those with limited support at home, can be particularly vulnerable.
Ashleigh’s story
Ashleigh’s twins are now almost two years old. She had a ‘textbook’ pregnancy and, thanks to her career in emergency services, was used to remaining calm under pressure. But when her babies arrived nearly ten weeks early and were taken straight to special care, she found herself in a completely new and overwhelming situation.
“I was plunged into a world of special care – a term I’d never heard of. I was watching these tiny new humans of mine show resilience and strength I didn’t think was possible for someone so small.”
After several weeks, Ashleigh and her babies were finally able to go home. But she soon realised that what she was experiencing went beyond the ‘baby blues’.
“I wouldn’t sleep. I relived my experience every day. Anxiety gripped me like nothing I’d ever known, and my body was constantly in fight or flight mode. I was angry, snappy and suffering. I lost myself.”
Eventually, Ashleigh was referred to Silver Birch Hubs, Mersey Care’s maternal mental health service.
Breaking the silence
Many new parents find it difficult to talk about how they’re feeling or to ask for help, often because of shame, embarrassment or fear.
“I thought it made me a failure as a mum. People have been having babies for years, and I wondered what was wrong with me and why I was finding it so hard.”
Through therapy and support from the Silver Birch Hubs team, Ashleigh began to understand that her body and mind were responding to the fear and trauma of her babies’ first weeks.
“Over the course of a few weeks, I started to feel lighter. It was hard, but I became more accepting of what happened and more understanding of why I felt how I did. Little by little, I started to get some of me back.”
“This can happen to anyone, and if it does, that’s okay. It doesn’t make you a bad mum or a failure. Reaching out for support was the best thing I ever did.”
Mersey Care’s Maternal Mental Health Service Silver Birch Hubs provides specialist maternal mental health care for anyone who has experienced distress, trauma or loss during pregnancy or birth.
Our dedicated team includes specialist perinatal midwives, therapists, psychologists, assistant psychologists and peer support workers. Together, they help parents recognise and address distress related to their maternity, neonatal or reproductive journey.
Silver Birch Hubs work closely with other services to ensure you receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
It doesn’t matter how long ago your experience took place - support is still available. Referrals can be made by any healthcare professional, including midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers, therapists or counsellors.