THE Maternal Mental Health Service is being developed by the Fylde Coast CCGs and will be rolled out across Lancashire and south Cumbria.
This was done in conjunction with the local maternity system across Lancashire and South Cumbria and Northwest Coast clinical network and will be hosted by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
An experience of trauma or loss could have a negative impact on a person’s mental health during their pregnancy/maternity journey and beyond.
The aim of the Maternal Mental Health Service is to provide support to aid recovery and focus on a future with hope. The team will be made up of psychological therapists, specialist midwives, psychological wellbeing practitioners and peer support volunteers.
Engagement is currently ongoing to help establish what patients need and what the service should offer.
We do know that it will offer additional specialised support to women, their partners, and families during their maternity journey.
It will provide support for women and birthing people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties as a direct result of a traumatic maternity/perinatal/neonatal experience such as:
– Tokophobia – fear of childbirth or pregnancy
– Trauma which is impacting on pregnancy
– Birth trauma
– Trauma relating to miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination
– Loss of a baby
