A new maternal mental health service has launched in South Tyneside and Sunderland to ensure that new and expectant mums don't "fall through the gaps" after experiencing any kind of trauma during their maternity experience.
Whether in relation to trauma during birth, any kind of loss - such as miscarriage, stillbirth, an abortion or death of a newborn - or to psychological issues such as fear of childbirth or fear of hospitals - the service will offer support and advice to women at a distressing time. Two clinical psychologists will work with the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust's midwifery team to offer support and therapies to those who need it.
Lorna Middlemass is the specialist midwife who is now working as part of the team. She told ChronicleLive: "Maternal mental health services have been historically underfunded. Reports such as the NHS long-term plan, and the Better Births report highlight there are gaps in provision for mental health. We have got primary care, we have got IAPT services, and we have a specialist perinatal mental health service - but there are some women who might fall between those services.
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"These women are out there and [trauma] does impact on them and their families, it can affect their relationships with their children, or it can put them off having more children. The idea is that the services will be well-embedded in the maternity units.
"We will ensure all staff are trained so women at risk of trauma are identified and able to access support. When they are discharged they will be given all the information needed to get in touch and self-refer."
Lorna explained that the trust was also setting up a "birth reflection service" to help those who've given birth - "it can be really frightening, things happen which we see as midwives often, but for women it can be their only experience", she said - answer any questions they may have about their maternity care.
Lyndsey Hall, one of the clinical psychologists part of the team, added: "We are incredibly proud to launch this new service, which will provide women and birth people with access to specialist support and care. Having a baby is one of life’s big events and many people expect to feel happy and excited. Sadly for some, this isn’t always the case. Trauma relating to the maternity experience is very real and can often be overlooked.
“Twenty per cent of new and expectant mams or birth people will experience a 'perinatal' mental health problem (PMH). This is a mental health problem experienced any time from becoming pregnant up to a year after giving birth. Mental health issues are linked to poorer outcomes for women, their babies and families. That’s why early detection and referral is so important. Treatment and continued support can have a lasting, positive outcome and improve wellbeing."
The service is available to people living across South Tyneside and Sunderland struggling with their maternity experience and can be accessed by calling 0191 569 9698 during weekday working hours. You can also book online or be referred by a doctor, midwife of health visitor.
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