I didn’t suffer birth trauma because I was…….. uninformedlacking in knowledge or information Because I didn’t have…………. soft musiccandlesdim lights Or because I didn’t……… praymeditateuse affirmationsbe activeread enough, plan enough
Read moreI didn’t suffer birth trauma because I was…….. uninformedlacking in knowledge or information Because I didn’t have…………. soft musiccandlesdim lights Or because I didn’t……… praymeditateuse affirmationsbe activeread enough, plan enough
Read morePlease 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 moreThis is Joanna’s deeply moving story of her traumatic birth and really shows how important it is that women are listened to and treated with dignity and respect. Please be
Read moreI sat in the psychiatrist’s room, the light shining on my back, warming my tired bones. I had lost hope, hope that anyone could hear me, or know what was
Read moreMy daughter was stood right next to me, her cheeks rosey from the cold wind blowing across the pond. Her tiny hands clutch tightly small pieces of bread, ready to
Read moreI sat in the chair feeling numb, was I really in denial? I didn’t think I was, but then I wasn’t the expert. The Community psychiatric nurse (CPN) in front
Read moreI feel worried. Worried, because there seems to be somewhat of a perinatal bandwagon lately. Where ever you look, there are articles, stories being shared and people discussing perinatal mental
Read moreI read the article, tears stinging my eyes. I blink them away and try to let my logical mind silence the thunderous beating in my chest. I look at my
Read moreFor any family, emotional wellbeing matters. When it comes to mental health the perinatal period can be a challenging time. Adjusting to life with a new baby is hard, but
Read moreI remember when I was a child, I had a beautiful doll that cried real tears, and when you fed her a bottle she wet her nappy…I thought she was
Read moreThe room was dark and my pillow was wet with silent tears. I could hear my husband breathing deeply as sleep beside me, but sleep had escaped me. I wished
Read moreWith my eyes tightly squeezed shut all I could hear was the bleeping of the machine next to my bed that was tracing my babies heartbeat. I felt like was
Read moreWe all know that when it comes to our emotional wellbeing there are many factors that contribute to our feeling healthy. No more so is this true than when it
Read moreI lifted my eyes and looked at everyone around the room, some were colleagues, others strangers, some had tears falling from their eyes, others looked shocked and in disbelief, everyone
Read moreThe experience of birth will stay with a woman her whole life time Ask any women her birth story and she will recount it with easy, there is no experience
Read moreThere’s a well-known saying that ‘words can cut like a knife’. What we say can have a lasting effect on the person at the end of the words we use,
Read moreWhen people think about post traumatic stress (PTSD) they often think of a soldier, returning from battle traumatised and battered by the ravages of war and the terrible things seen
Read moreThey say that blood is thicker than water when it comes to relationships, but sometimes the support that we need doesn’t always come from the places and the people we
Read moreThis is the second of three blogs. The first blog looked at the growing concerns around how we can support women to have a less medicalised birth. In order to
Read moreI’m feeling hopeful. Much more so than I have for the many years previously, where birth trauma was hardly mentioned and women would often have their experiences dismissed due to
Read more“I have never dealt with anything more difficult than my own mind”. My daughters birthday is always mixed emotions for me, a day to celebrate the light she brought into
Read moreToday is World Mental Health Day. There are many people sharing their stories about the reality of living with mental health. Why is this important? Because by sharing our stories
Read more“The first time ever I saw your face I thought the sun rose in your eyes, and the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave to the dark
Read moreBIRTH is a natural process that women have been doing for thousands of years, it is an immense time of joy and excitement for not only the woman and her
Read moreWe 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 its both! For me
Read moreBirth has many faces and no one situation prevails, it is as individual to each woman, baby and family as a fingerprint. Often things such a ‘risk’, ‘normal’ and ‘natural’
Read moreThe room is beautiful. Soft hues of yellow shine light like prisms of sunlight. The bed big and inviting the type you want to fall into, its softness enveloping you
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
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
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
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
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.
Read more“Oh, no! it is like a rope,” said the second man who touched the tail. “Oh, no! it is like a thick branch of a tree,” said the third man
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
Read moreAll around are bright coloured balloons, the cake waiting for candles to be lit and wishes to be made. Gifts wrapped in shiny paper call out to be opened. Deep
Read moreThis 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
Read moreSupporting families after a difficult and traumatic birth of course is so important but we need to address how we can prevent trauma from a difficult birth in the first
Read moreThis 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
Read moreThis 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
Read moreThis 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
Read moreKindness as one dictionary defines is, ‘going out of your way to be nice to someone or to show a person you care.’ Other definitions say kindness embodies generosity, selflessness
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
Read more“Let your scars become wings that carry you out of the darkness and into the glorious light” Emma Jane Sasaru The birth of my first daughter changed my life, it
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
Read moreMadeleine’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
Read moreThis 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
Read moreThis story is from a lovely Karina, who’s sharing her story for the first time in 5 years—what she survived and what’s helping her heal. Please be aware that some
Read moreThis story is from Bella, who wanted to share her story about her baby’s birth experience and how the right support after a traumatic birth matters. Please be aware
Read moreThis moving story is from Nicki, who wanted to share her story about her experience of Placenta Accreta and Placenta Previa and her incredible struggle to carry and birth her
Read moreThis is the story from wonderful Sheryl, who wanted to share her story about her experience of birth trauma to show that the way a woman feels about her
Read more