Midwives helping parents cope with birth trauma

A clinic in Walsall is supporting dozens of parents who have suffered the loss of a baby or have experienced trauma around the birth of their child.

Calm Connections Clinic is run by three specialist Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust midwives.

Laura Atkinson, specialist bereavement midwife, said: "We offer a safe space for parents to share their concerns, reflect on their experiences and receive tailored support to help them feel more reassured and empowered throughout their pregnancy."

More than 50 women have been referred since June, with the number continuing to rise, the trust said.

Hari Nijjar, mental health specialist midwife, said the team booked in women according to their individual needs.

"We found we were getting referrals that needed a multi-disciplinary team approach from the three of us and decided to put this clinic in place to offer support to the women and families who needed it," she said.

"The Black Country is one of the most deprived areas in the country, and combined with the increased risk of mental health issues, it makes the need for specialised care even more critical."

The clinic, which has partnered with the Mind Kind Projects and is based at its hub on Proffitt Street, Walsall, operates every Tuesday from 09:30 to 13:30 GMT.

"The clinic is a much-needed service that provides compassionate, specialist support for families who have experienced the heartbreak of baby loss," Ms Atkinson said.

"For those embarking on a subsequent pregnancy after loss, this can bring a mix of emotions – hope, anxiety, and fear."

Mother-of-two Pauline Ncube, 30, was referred to the clinic after a traumatic experience with her first child which ended up in a category one emergency C-section, the trust said.

She said she was fearful of the same thing happening which caused her anxiety until she went to the clinic and shared her fears.

"I was able to decide on a planned C-section and meet the anaesthetic team beforehand for a note to be put into my file to not be put under general anaesthesia," she said.

"My planned C section is one of the best decisions I've made.... After surgery, I had a huge smile as it felt so amazing not fearing for my life and my child's life and being awake to hold my baby."

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