Perinatal Support

Perinatal Support for Parents

Perinatal page group

Finding out you are pregnant and having a baby can lead to a mix of different feelings. Ideally it is an exciting and happy time. However, it is also a time fuelled with change which can make us feel anxious, depressed, stressed and overwhelmed. Statistics show that one in five people experience emotional difficulties in pregnancy or the year following birth.

Baby Blues is a common phenomenon for new parents, in fact 80% of new parents can experience these feelings. Symptoms are usually short lived, lasting no more than 10 days and occur in the first few days following birth. Typical symptoms include: feeling very emotional, bursting into tears for no obvious reason, feeling tense, exhausted and difficulties with sleeping. Doctors feel that the sudden changes in hormone levels due to birth can trigger baby blues, but other factors such as the trauma within birth and feeling upheaval with a new responsibility can also play a role. mother and child

If symptoms of 'Baby Blues' are persisting or worsening, or do not occur until week 6 post birth, this may be a sign of postnatal depression or other emotional difficulties. Evidence shows that approximately 10-15% of Mothers and 10% of Partners can experience postnatal depression. Other struggles can include difficulties with processing a difficult labour, where approximately 3% of women experience PTSD following childbirth. Additionally, 2-3 in every 100 women report OCD symptoms following given birth, this may be in the form of intrusive thoughts about harm to the baby or excessive need to clean or check. All of these findings show that perinatal wellbeing difficulties are more common than you may have realised.

Common experiences/feelings in pregnancy/new parents:

Feeling tearful or low in mood
Feeling hopeless or that you can't cope
Feeling irritable or angry
Loss of appetite or overeating
Difficulties in sleeping
Lack of enjoyment or pleasure
Withdrawing from others or activities you used to enjoy
Mixed or overwhelming feelings about pregnancy or parenthood.
Difficulties in bonding with your baby
Feeling like a failure as a parent or criticising your skills
Anxiety about labour
Worrying about the baby and their safety
Worrying about being a good parent
Difficulties processing a labour

If you are feeling or have experienced any of these symptoms, we are here to help and it is okay for you to reach out for our support.

Anyone can experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or following the birth of a baby. Fathers and co-parents also commonly experience significant changes in their mental health.

Our services are for all expecting or new parents regardless of their background and we will also provide support for people whose first language is not English.

Self-Refer

Postnatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which can also be referred as birth trauma. It is possible to develop symptoms of this if you experience traumatic events during labour or childbirth. These can include difficult labour such as long/painful delivery, unplanned c-sections, emergency treatment or any other shocking, unexpected or traumatic experiences during the birthing period.

Symptoms can develop immediately after the event, but also weeks, months or even years later. This anxiety disorder can affect both mothers and partners, as well as whoever else witnessing the labour.

'I got PTSD after witnessing my daughter's birth' - BBC News (Source: BBC News)

Some common signs and symptoms include:

Vivid flashbacks or nightmares where it feels like you are re-living the incident
Intrusive thoughts and images
Avoidance of places, people or other reminders of the event
Avoidance or difficulties of thinking and talking about what happened.
Feeling panicked when reminded of what happened
Extreme alertness or hypervigilance
Being easily startled
Overwhelming feelings of anger, sadness, guilt or shame about the experience
Difficulties with concentration

It is not uncommon to feel disappointed that childbirth was not as you hoped, you may also feel angry with medical staff as you feel it was not handled well. Such can also have a negative effect on your relationship with your baby and others around you. The good news is there are talking therapies that we offer that can help to treat PTSD and help you move forwards.

We also have a free online workshop called Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the effects of trauma. This is suited to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or difficulties with symptoms which have arisen after a traumatic experience, such as childbirth.

Watch now

It's okay to ask for help

Holding hands

There are many myths and misconceptions about perinatal mental wellbeing which can act as a barrier for seeking help. Many feel that they should be overjoyed immediately within pregnancy and after birth, but this is not always the case. There is no need to struggle in silence and if you don't seek help it can get worse. Many fear that accepting help means they are a bad parent; if anything it is the opposite and a parent asking for help is showing themselves as responsible and motivated to feel better.

Professionals will support you on this! There is a lot of pressure to be a 'perfect parent' but realistically there is no such thing - try not to compare yourself to others, we are often our hardest critic and ultimately, we do not know what is going on behind closed doors. Remember, having postnatal depression does not mean you are a bad parent and many mothers experience this, more than you probably think!

Perinatal wellbeing has been hugely affected by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has fuelled isolation and feelings of not being as supported due to the restrictions. We recognise the difficulties the pandemic has brought about and have catered support in our service accordingly to help you.

How can we help?

We offer a range of free and confidential support to help people make changes to improve their wellbeing and to help with common mental health and emotional difficulties such as: low mood, stress, anxiety and depression. Our clinical team have had specific training to support parents with common experiences and feelings during and after pregnancy.

See the below for ways you can refer yourself for support with us.

Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the effects of trauma - on demand

This free online workshop is suited to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or difficulties with symptoms which have arisen after a traumatic experience, such as childbirth.

Living Well with Baby

A free online workshop offering support and tips to help with the stresses of being a parent - click the video to watch now.

Further support

Our Perinatal leaflet has lots of helpful information and details of organisations who offer support. You can view and download the leaflet by clicking the button below.

View the Perinatal leaflet

Taking Care of Mamas Mental Health - a useful guide to other help and support available in Suffolk.

Small Steps Together service supports mums and mums-to-be who have low to moderate mental health and wellbeing needs, both during pregnancy and up to two years after birth

Peanut App - A safe space for women to meet and find support. Connect with women who are at a similar stage in life - from fertility, pregnancy and motherhood through to menopause

Net Mums Helping with Depression course is aimed at mums with low mood or those who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate postnatal depression

How are You, Dad? provide support for new fathers to maintain their mental wellbeing

EPIC Dad are a Community Interest Company with a focus on supporting fathers, father figures and their families.

Family support:

Home-Start https://www.home-start.org.uk/

Partners and fathers:

DadsNet www.thedadsnet.com

Andy's Man Club www.andysmanclub.co.uk/

Mental health and self-care:

MIND www.mind.org.uk/

Perinatal mental health:

Birth Trauma Association www.birthtraumaassociation.org