Maternal Loss Psychology Service

Providing support for women or birthing parents who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties relating to a perinatal loss (or infant loss)

Support we can provide

Pregnancy after loss

Pregnancy after loss

During Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) the Maternal Loss Psychology Service and bereavement midwives came together to talk about baby loss and share information about the support that is available.

Watch these videos for more information about the support the Maternal Loss Psychology Service can offer with those experiencing pregnancy after loss: 

 

 

Understanding bereavement and loss

Understanding bereavement and loss

Some families lose their baby during pregnancy, birth or shortly afterwards. For many people, grief comes in stages as a cycle. Grieving is unique to each person and individual's may experience this in different ways.

In this video, Trudy Robertson, Senior Psychological Therapist talks about the range of services and treatments available for people experiencing mental health issues in relation to baby loss:

 

Dr Kirsty Harris, Clinical Psychologist, discusses bereavement around baby loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it is important to seek help 

Grieving is a normal reaction to a loss. Even after a long period of time we learn to manage our feelings that come with grieving. However, some people need support with their mental health when: 

  • The symptoms of grief feel continuous and become harder to cope with over time. 
  • Feelings of grief become so intense and overwhelming that they significantly impact your day-to-day living
  • Experiencing symptoms including PTSD and /or severe depression.

How we can help

The service will carry out an assessment to explore whether your grieving process is linked to a mental health condition such as PTSD or depression. We will consider all options to ensure you receive support that is tailored to your needs. 

Types of therapy you may be offered include:

  • Individual therapy
  • A 'Family and Friends' session - Your partner and family members may also have difficulty processing their grief. They may find it hard to understand and need help dealing with their distress as well as yours.
  • Peer support work- this will involve receiving support and simply talking to someone who may have had a similar experience to you.
  • Group Therapy - this is delivered in a group offering a range of methods and the opportunity to meet other people with similar needs and experiences to you.

We will also ensure you are aware of other support organisations that are appropriate for you.

Specialist Maternal Mental Health Midwives

Support from the Specialist Maternal Mental Health Midwives

Meet Lisa and Jill, they work alongside community midwives to provide enhanced care that pregnant women and birthing families may need after experiencing pregnancy and baby loss, that will help support them through their next journey.

The specialist midwives become your advocate and support can range from developing an antenatal passport you can carry with you - that helps you avoid unwanted questions at appointments, to supporting visits to hospitals - where revisiting places can feel difficult.