While pregnant I was seeing the mental health midwife at my local hospital in Carlisle. She was great and helped to make a plan for as soon as I gave birth. 

As soon as Lucas was born I started back on my mental health medication, that had been stopped correctly during pregnancy.

I was so glad I did this or I would have been a lot worse. I was 8 weeks down the line on the meds already. I hate to think about how I would have been if I hadn’t done this. 

I had the support of Steven and Mam at home. 

My mental health midwife referred me to the North Cumbria Perinatal Team for further help, where I saw a psychiatric nurse, an occupational therapist and a psychiatrist.

I also had a health visitor but didn’t see much of her due to COVID-19. 

Between my Perinatal Nurse and Health Visitor, they both told me about Happy Mums. I looked into it but didn’t feel like I was ready to reach out right away.

Things got worse for me and I was admitted to Ribblemere Mother & Baby Unit in Chorley. All in all, I was there for 3 weeks. This includes Lucas and I being inpatients and our home leave.

At the end of my weeks leave. I had a video call meeting with all professionals in our care and was discharged. I had the support of the perinatal team, health visitor and outreach team from Chorley.

I arranged to join the Zoom meetings, which I enjoyed and when the face-to-face groups started again we started attending them.

With hindsight, I should have got in touch with Happy Mums sooner than I did. Better late than never though.

Lucas and I both enjoy Happy Mums, we both get a lot out of going. Knowing that others know how you’re feeling, sharing experiences and knowing you’re not alone.

In June 2021, Steven, Lucas and I moved over the border. We got a great new health visitor who we still see now.

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