Pregnancy and life with newborn babies is often presented as a joyful time.
While this can be true for many, one in four women and birthing people will experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth.
As Mersey Care’s Maternal Mental Health Service, Silver Birch Hubs provides specialist maternal mental health support for parents to be or new parents who are struggling with distress or trauma. Often this can be following a miscarriage, trauma during childbirth, neonatal complications, or the loss of a very young baby. Parents with a previous history of mental health difficulties or with limited support networks may also be particularly vulnerable.
Alongside the specialist midwives, psychologists and therapists, peer support workers are a crucial part of the team, bringing lived experience of their own perinatal mental health challenges and helping to break down stigma.
Linda is one of the peer support workers at Silver Birch Hubs. She has had her own traumatic maternity journey which impacted on her mental health. Support from people who shared similar experiences was invaluable - now she is helping others.
Linda says, “I was overwhelmed with all kinds of feelings and emotions and it took time to process what had happened. One thing that really helped me was connecting with others who had similar experiences and struggles in their maternity journey. This gave me hope and helped me feel less alone with my experience.”
Psychological therapist Helen has seen the power of sharing lived experiences. She says, “At Silver Birch Hubs, I have the privilege of supporting women and families through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, from navigating loss to making sense of their birthing experiences without shame or judgement.
“Witnessing the positive changes that emerge when people feel truly heard and understood is priceless, and it shows the importance of open conversations about mental health. It’s a powerful reminder that no one has to face emotional pain alone."
“This work is made possible by a team of compassionate and supportive colleagues who believe in care, connection and reflection. I am proud to have been part of a service that continues to adapt to the needs of those we support.”
Natalie Patterson, Lead Maternal Mental Health Midwife and Joint Service Lead from Silver Birch Hubs says, “It can be difficult for women, birthing people and partners to talk about their experiences of loss or trauma during maternity, neonatal or fertility journeys.
Distress that occurs as a result of these experiences is not always openly discussed or even recognised within our society and can be minimised or dismissed. Women, birthing people and their partners may fear they’ll be judged and worry about the consequences of speaking openly about how they’re feeling. Compassion and shared understanding are so important for families who are navigating challenging reproductive journeys. Having a safe space to be heard in, by someone who understands their experience, and can offer support and intervention can be transformative for women, birthing people and their families.”
Perinatal mental health difficulties do not present in the same way for everyone. Some common signs and symptoms may include:
- Sudden or ongoing changes in mood or emotional wellbeing
- Feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety or hopelessness
- Difficulty sleeping or relaxing, even when an opportunity arises
- Feeling emotionally disconnected or struggling to bond with a baby
- Intrusive or distressing thoughts, including fears of harm coming to themselves or their baby
These thoughts, while deeply distressing, are more common than many people realise. They are often difficult to voice and may go under the radar when people feel unable or unsafe to disclose how they are truly feeling.
Silver Birch Hubs work closely with partner services to ensure individuals and families receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Referrals can be made by a range of professionals including midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers, therapists and counsellors.
