My maternal mental health began when I regrettably informed close family members as soon as we found out we were expecting.

Then came the comments “Be careful before 12 weeks”, “don’t do this, don’t do that”.

Comments about how they’d look after baby when I was back at work, how they’d spoil baby… baby didn’t even have a heartbeat at this point and I was crippled with anxiety, fear and immense pressure that I was going to lose the baby or something would go wrong. 

I felt a constant pressure to be happy and enjoy pregnancy… the cravings, the ‘glow’, the baby kicking (the anterior placenta didn’t help) etc.  

My midwife asked as is protocol about my mental health but I felt this was purely a ticking box exercise.

Asking “Have you suffered from anxiety before?” The answer was “No” so felt that shut down that line of communication. 

Looking back I should have spoken out and sought help as I feel this ruined my pregnancy alongside the breakdown in close relationships I was also experiencing. 

I took these anxious thoughts, fear and stress into my induction.

Unfortunately, I ended up having an emergency C-section.

I have been waiting 5 months to hear from the NHS regarding an afterthoughts meeting… when reaching out to my GP regarding flashbacks and potential PTSD I was sent a text with a number to call! 

Happy Mums has been my lifeline of incredible support!

Being able to open up about my birth trauma early on, pregnancy experience and everything that comes post-partum including relationships. 

At Happy Mums I have a voice, I feel validated and surrounded by strong beautiful women.

Happy Mums provides peer support groups for mums and Mums-to-be to share how they really feel without judgement.