Support for Parents

“I was so afraid and helpless. At points in the birth, it was like I lost all control.”

- Amy, mum to Elina

Can you relate to Amy? 1 in 4 mums can. Research tells us less about how those who do not identify as 'mums' are impacted by birth trauma, but of course they are. And partners are affected by these experiences too. Perhaps it’s not the birth itself which felt deeply distressing. It might have been when you were trying to conceive, because you faced pregnancy loss, pregnancy sickness, had difficulty breastfeeding, birth complications, injuries, bonding challenges or something else unique to you. No two experiences are the same and your story matters. We’re here to help you find the right support.

  • We’re here to help you understand what birth trauma actually is and how it might be affecting you now. Or how it has in the past.

    Learn more here

  • Speak Up - We know it’s not easy.

    If you haven’t done so already, try your best to open up to your loved ones. Whether that’s your partner, a friend or someone in your family, like a sibling or your mum. Share your feelings with someone you feel safe with and trust.

    Please also consult a healthcare provider, such as your GP, a health visitor, a midwife, a social worker or another healthcare professional.

    To help you have this conversation we have created the ‘I need help’ download - there’s a version for birthing women and people, and a version for partners. We explain how to use it below, just scroll down.

    Download for mothers and birthing person

    Download for partners

    Please go gently as you move through this document. It is going to ask you to share information about your experiences which might feel upsetting. Share as much as feels comfortable and relevant for you. Please speak to a loved one or email us at Make Birth Better if you need support. You can also use The PANDAS Foundation’s free services.

    If you feel it would help you to express how you are feeling emotionally, you could track your mood for a few days before your appointment daily and give it a score out of 10 where:

    0 = I’m feeling hopeless / this is the worst I’ve ever felt

    10 =  I’m very happy / the best mood ever

    You can then include them in the free text section at the end of the download. 

  • Birth trauma can have a ripple effect on birthing partners leaving them traumatised too. We are here to support you.

    View our Support for Partners page

  • If you had a distressing experience (before, during or after giving birth), planning for a family can feel challenging. Find out how we can help.

    Read more

Download supportive PDFS