Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust highlights trauma around pregnancy and childbirth for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.

The trauma around pregnancy and childbirth is being highlighted by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.

For many women, childbirth will be the most traumatic experience they go through.

And studies show that tokophobia – a severe fear of childbirth – affects 14% of the world’s population.

In a recent podcast by ‘Conversations with Perinatal Psychology’, Sam Dyer-French, a peer support worker for the maternity mental health service at the trust, talked about her experiences.

She said: “I’ve had lifelong phobias and a history of anxiety and depression, so I knew there would be help that I needed and thankfully my community midwife picked up on that immediately, referring me to the maternity mental health service where I learned techniques to help with my anxieties.”

Talking about her traumatic experience with childbirth, Sam said: “Everyone tells you about this sudden rush of love you get when you first hold your baby, but I didn’t.”

Parents like Sam who struggle with pregnancy and childbirth can gain access to a free NHS mental wellbeing service called Steps2Wellbeing run across Dorset and in Southampton.

It offers free talking therapy sessions, with parents who have children aged under two are priotorised for the service.

To refer yourself, visit www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk