Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new maternity service to support people who have had a traumatic experience linked to pregnancy.
The Reproductive Trauma Service will offer a range of therapies and additional support to those in the Lancashire and South Cumbria area who have experienced birth trauma; fear of childbirth (tokophobia); perinatal loss; recurrent miscarriage; stillbirth; neonatal death; termination of pregnancy; and parent-infant separation at birth.
Within the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals statement, the organisation highlights that many women experience mental health issues due to birth trauma or perinatal loss, however if detected, referred and treated early, the support can result in ‘lasting’ and ‘positive’ outcomes.
Additionally, fathers, partners and co-parents of women accessing support through the team will be offered an assessment and signposted to the appropriate services ‘accordingly,’ the trust says.
Lisa McCormick, Clinical Lead for the service, Reproductive Trauma Service, commented on the new team: “We’ve worked really hard to develop a service that meets the needs of the people it will help. It has been co-produced by those with lived experience of reproductive trauma and/or loss to gain a better understanding of their needs.
“The team is made up of trained therapists who will provide a range of psychological interventions and support. These may include psychological therapies, relaxation techniques, anxiety management, or information in both group and one-on-one settings.
“We also understand talking to people who have experienced something similar is often really helpful, so we’ll be using peer support coordinators to match up women/fathers/partners and co-parents with an appropriate peer support volunteer to provide additional support.”
In other news, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has opened a new £9.4million community-facing rehabilitation centre and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new service to support patients to stop smoking.
