The Birth Matters service is overseen and facilitated by Specialist Midwife Joanne Stubbs. Joanne is a clinically experienced midwife who also works in the Maternity Quality and Safety Team at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
What is the Birth Matters service for?
If you are currently pregnant the Birth Matters service is for exploring options, personalised care planning and/or discussing a previous experience.
The service can help if you have specific needs or wishes that you feel would benefit from further discussion or if you have questions or worries about your previous birth. You may have had a traumatic experience in a previous pregnancy and be feeling anxious. The service can help to explore the options available and support you with your personalised care plan.
If you have had your baby the Birth Matters Service provides an opportunity to have a discussion with an experienced midwife about your pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience. You may hear this being referred to as “a debrief”.
Pregnancy, birth and postnatal experiences can sometimes result in unexpected events that you may not have been prepared for or experiences that you may be struggling to understand or resolve. Whatever your experience is, it is not uncommon to feel upset or anxious with some memories or be unable to remember some of your experience. This could happen particularly if you had complications or a traumatic experience. Birth Matters provides a listening service and an opportunity to reflect on your journey, resolve unanswered questions and help to understand why events may have happened or why decisions were made.
Some individuals may experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. These symptoms can resolve on their own in the early weeks and months following your baby’s birth, but some individuals may require psychological therapy, such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). These therapies are designed to help treat PTSD. The Birth Matters Service does not provide these psychological therapies, but you can talk to your doctor, midwife or health visitor who will be able to discuss your options.
The Birth Matters Service may not be the best service to help if:
- you have concerns about your care and wish to raise a complaint
- you have experienced a pregnancy loss or your baby has died
- you have experienced surgical or anaesthetic complications, or you were admitted to the intensive care unit
- you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD
However, your maternity healthcare professional can advise, refer or sign post you to other services that will be more helpful.
How do I get referred to the Birth Matters service?
You can be referred to the Birth Matters Service by your midwife, obstetrician, health visitor, GP or any other maternity related service in the Bradford district.
When will I be seen in the Birth Matters Service?
It is best not to be referred in the first few days following your baby’s birth as it is normal to feel emotional during this period. This often resolves with time. You may benefit from talking to your midwife or health visitor to help you process and make sense of your experience.
Waiting times for the Birth Matters Service can vary depending on current demand. It is usual to wait 2-4 months for an appointment. If you are pregnant, it is best to be referred as early as possible so the service can arrange an appointment before you give birth.
