Maternal mental health services that are helping women and their families during and after pregnancy

One in five women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or after birth, and 70 per cent of them will not seek advice or support as they do not think it is important or do not want to be a burden.

But thanks to two services, ‘Thrive’ and ‘Helping You Grow Stronger (HUGS)’, which are offered by our mental health specialist midwives, women and their families affected by mental health issues during and after pregnancy are getting the help and support they need at the earliest opportunity.

To mark the 25th anniversary of maternity services and the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit transferring from All Saints Hospital in Chatham to the hospital, the teams that run the services are hosting a stand as part of a special public exhibition which takes place in the Atrium, Level 2 Green Zone, from 10am to 4pm on Monday 8 July.

In addition to displays of photos and memorabilia, midwives, specialist midwives and neonatal nursing staff will be available to talk to patients and visitors about their work, advances in medicine and technology and the different services available today compared to 1999.

Thrive, which was launched in January last year, is an inclusive, multi-professional service, offering assessment and short-term interventions specifically for psychological trauma, as a result of birth trauma or the loss of a baby during pregnancy or soon after birth.

Offered in partnership with Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), it supports those who have previously received psychological care and treatment from primary care or counselling services but are still experiencing trauma symptoms and require further treatment.
Specialist Mental Health Midwife Donna Collins works with KMPT Senior Psychological Therapist Hannah Clayson, and Psychological Therapist Jo Goldspring, who leads the service, alongside Peer Support Practitioner Loren Armstrong.

Donna provides midwifery clinical expertise and knowledge in relation to birth trauma and perinatal loss, and support for future pregnancies, while the KMPT therapists offer treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)* and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)**.

Direct referrals to the service can be accepted from any health or social care professional directly involved in the care of the person, for example a midwife, obstetrician, counsellor, therapist or GP. Since launching the service has received 73 referrals.

From left - Loren Armstrong, Thrive Peer Support Worker; Hannah Clayson Thrive Senior Psychologist; Donna Collins, Thrive Specialist Maternal Mental Health Midwife; and Jo Goldspring Thrive Psychological Therapist

Donna said: “Raising awareness of perinatal mental health is important so we can change attitudes, and be an advocate for women and families affected by mental health difficulties. We want to help families to access the resources available in their local area.

“I would encourage anyone interested in receiving support from Thrive to speak to a health care professional so a referral can be made on their behalf.”

Helping You Grow Stronger (HUGS) was launched in May 2022 following an increase in referrals for pregnant women suffering with anxiety, low mood and social isolation.

Created and run by Team Lotus, which is headed up by Perinatal Mental Health Midwives Irene Smith and Jennie Croucher and supported by Maternity Support Workers Laura Whitlock and Sarah Hopkins, the service consists of four 90-minute self-help sessions on MS Teams. It aims to support women who are experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing, by educating and helping them to develop the tools to identify and manage their needs during challenging life experiences.

From left Maternity Support Worker Sarah Hopkins, Perinatal Mental Health Midwives Irene Smith and Jennie Croucher, and Maternity Support Worker Laura Whitlock

Irene said: “Since launching, over 200 people have accessed the service which is now being rolled out by maternity teams across Kent and the United Kingdom after we gave a presentation on it to perinatal mental health midwife peers and health related networks.

“Women can self-refer by emailing the team at medwayft.mentalhealthmidwives@nhs.net or they can be referred by their midwife or doctor if it’s felt they would benefit from the service.

“We wanted to create a supportive environment which would help us to break down the stigma of mental health in and around pregnancy and birth, where people felt safe, and their feelings were validated. We use many techniques and teachings such as birth art, journaling, breathing techniques, grounding, five senses, mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery, poetry, and peer support which we have not been disappointed. Women supporting women is a very powerful tool.

“We are in no doubt of the benefits that service users and their wider families will experience as a result of the hospital offering the specialist support that HUGS and Thrive has to offer.”

*EMDR is a comprehensive psychotherapy that helps individuals process and recover from past experiences that are affecting their mental health and wellbeing. It involves using side to side eye movements combined with talking therapy in a specific and structured format. EMDR helps individuals process the negative images, emotions, beliefs and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck.

**TF-CBT is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy specifically adapted for PTSD.

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Dr Jaroslaw Beta, who is known to colleagues and service users as Jarek, holds baby Jarek who is named after him. Mum Lauren Davies is pictured next to them.

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