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Support Organisations & Useful Links
Pregnancy brings a whole host of emotions, utter joy, emotional outbursts of tears, anger - That is all completely normal; pregnancy is an emotional time.
But for some women, those standard pregnancy symptoms can be something more. Most of us have heard about postnatal depression but for 12% of women they can experience antenatal depression(sometimes called perinatal depression), and some women may experience both. Women have reported finding it hard to talk about their mental health during pregnancy as it is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness.
Antenatal depression can happen at any point during pregnancy. Look out for:
- Unusual amount of worry about giving birth and parenthood.
- Lack of energy and disturbed sleep.
- Losing interest in yourself or your pregnancy.
- Feeling emotionally detached, teary, angry or irritable.
- Chronic anxiety.
- Poor concentration.
- Sense of hopelessness about the future.
- Thoughts of suicide.
- You may not feel all these symptoms and some of them are completely normal during pregnancy.
There can be many reasons for antenatal depression, whilst pregnant ladies do have a surge of hormones it is unlikely that is the main cause.
Other things that may play a part are:
- previous miscarriages or difficult birth experiences.
- history of depression.
- isolation, poor support, stressful living conditions or major life events.
- unplanned pregnancy.
- difficult childhood experiences and poor self-esteem.
- struggling with a pressure to ‘do things right’.
If you’re feeling worried or experiencing any of these symptoms speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible and they will be able to help.
Where possible, ask for and accept help from those around you. Practical and emotional support from family, friends and community can be vital in helping you to cope.
The PANDAS foundation offers information and support for people experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression.
If you've lost your baby, there is support and information available to you. Here you can find links to organisations which we hope you find useful. Please note that inclusion in this list does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of an organisation and we cannot be held responsible for any information, advice or services provided by any organisation listed here.
You can also download a PDF with a range of information below:
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
SANDS - THE STILLBIRTH AND NEONATAL DEATH CHARITY
Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby; improve the care bereaved parents receive; and create a world where fewer babies die.
Helpline: 0808 164 333 (freephone)
Helpline Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Helpline support is available from 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 6pm to 10pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Website: www.sands.org.uk
ANTENATAL RESULTS AND CHOICES (ARC)
ARC offers non-directive information and support to parents before, during and after antenatal screening; when they are told their baby has an anomaly; when they are making difficult decisions about continuing with or ending a pregnancy, and when they are coping with complex and painful issues after making a decision, including bereavement. They offer a Helpline, support network and literature for parents, families and professionals.
Helpline: 0845 077 2290 or 0207 713 7486 (Monday-Friday, from 10:00am until 5:30pm)
Email: info@arc-uk.org
Website: www.arc-uk.org
Child Bereavement UK offers a service for bereaved families and professionals when a child of any age has died or is dying and when a child is bereaved. CBUK Offers support for adults and bereaved children.
Offers free face to face bereavement counselling in these areas: Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, East London, West London.
Helpline: 0800 02 888 40 (Monday to Friday, from 9:00am – 5:00pm)
Email: support@childbereavementuk.org
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
The Lullaby Trust provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies, emotional support for bereaved families and raises awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Helpline: 0808 802 6868
Info & advice: 0808 802 6869
Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk
Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
The Miscarriage Association offers support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in early pregnancy. They also raise awareness of miscarriage and promote good practice in medical care. They provide a network of support groups and telephone contacts throughout the UK.
Helpline: 01924 200799 (Monday–Friday, from 9.00am – 4.00pm)
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Website: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
Part of the Mariposa Trust. Saying Goodbye provides Cathedral remembrance services for anyone whose baby has died at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
Telephone: 0845 293 8027
Email: info@sayinggoodbye.org
Website: www.sayinggoodbye.org
TAMBA BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP (PART OF THE TWINS AND MULTIPLE BIRTHS ASSOCIATION – TAMBA)
TAMBA Bereavement Support Group is for parents who have lost a twin/multiple or both/all twins/multiples. Main website is for support with live twins/multiples so may want to direct them specifically to bereavement area.
The support Group offers parent to parent support via their befriending service and via their closed facebook bereavement support group.
Helpline: 01252 332 344 (usually 9am to 4pm weekdays but it can vary)
Website: https://www.tamba.org.uk/bereavement
Email: support-team@tamba.org.uk
Free remembrance photography. UK based registered charity who have professional photographers volunteering their photography services for the benefit of UK parents losing their baby before, during or shortly after birth.
Website: http://www.remembermybaby.org.uk/
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Provides support and help if you’ve been diagnosed with, or suspect you may have an anxiety condition.
Infoline: 08444 775 774 (Monday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm)
Email: support@anxietyuk.org
Website: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Telephone: 020 8519 2122
Email: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Mind Cymru Telephone: 029 2039 5123
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER UK
Information for those living with PTSD
Website: http://www.ptsduk.org/
A registered charity who support anyone in distress, around the clock, through 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Telephone: 116 123 (UK) – 116 123 (ROI) (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Email: jo@samaritans.org.
Visit your local Samaritans Branch http://www.samaritans.org/branches
Website: www.samaritans.org
PREGNANCY SUPPORT, INFORMATION & ADVICE
BLISS, FOR BABIES BORN PREMATURE OR SICK
Bliss exists to ensure that all babies born too soon, too small or too sick in the UK have the best possible chance of survival and of reaching their full potential. Bliss supports families, work with health professionals, and campaign for improved hospital resources across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Family support helpline: 0808 801 0322
Monday– Friday, from 10:00am – 4:00pm and from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Website: www.bliss.org.uk
Email: hello@bliss.org.uk
Provides information, education and support to those affected by early pregnancy complications and to the health professionals who care for them.
Helpline: 020 7733 2653 (24 hour answering service)
Website: www.ectopic.org.uk
In the UK 1 in 4 mums and dads will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. Tommy’s exists to change this and their goal is to help more mums and dads have a healthy baby and to halve the number of babies who die during pregnancy or birth by 2030.
Tel: 0207 398 3400
Email: mailbox@tommys.org
Website: www.tommys.org
An independent UK charity, formed to help prevent preventable Group B Strep infections in newborn babies.
Telephone: 01444 416 176
Email: info@gbss.org.uk
Website: https://gbss.org.uk/
Offers support and information to women who have suffered from Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) or suspect they might have the condition.
Support Line: 07939 871 929 (Open Monday – Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm)
Email: supportline@icpsupport.org
