Thousands of new mothers could be living with undiagnosed PTSD after childbirth, report warns
Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh has spoken about her own experience of birth trauma, as researchers call for better support
Sherwood Forest MP, Michelle Welsh, says the trauma of giving birth has affected her every day since.
It comes as new research suggests tens of thousands of women across Britain could be living with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth, according to the University of East Anglia.
The report warns that psychological trauma can be missed or misdiagnosed during postnatal GP appointments, leaving women struggling without the support they need.
MP Michelle Welsh, who is also the government's first national Maternity Adviser, has spoken about her own experience of birth trauma, six years after the birth of her son, Billy.
Michelle's son Billy had been born initially unresponsive after she felt her concerns had not been listened to in hospital.
The lack of support received afterwards had contributed to Michelle developing PTSD, which has continued to affect her years later.
“I left the hospital feeling that everything was my fault, that everything that went wrong was my fault, and therefore actually I didn't deserve any help.”
The impact became increasingly difficult to manage. Michelle recalled the moment she realised she needed help after walking into a supermarket, in which the bright lights of the store triggered trauma from her birth.
“I actually thought I was having some kind of heart attack or stroke.” she said.
Calls for continuity of support
Michelle is now calling for greater continuity of care for women during pregnancy and after birth.
She says having one consistent person supporting a mother throughout the process could help identify problems earlier and make sure support does not stop once a baby is born.
She wants every woman to receive a proper level of postnatal support, looking beyond breastfeeding to their physical and mental health, hormones and home circumstances.
“Every woman should get a service afterwards that addresses those first needs, not just breastfeeding, but also her body, how she's feeling, the hormones."
The UEA research suggests around one in 20 postnatal women develop PTSD — equivalent to tens of thousands of mothers across the UK.
Researchers are calling on the NHS to give GPs better tools to identify PTSD following childbirth, so women can get appropriate support.
Lead researcher and GP Dr Megan Foreman says PTSD can follow a traumatic pregnancy or delivery, but can also develop after a medically uncomplicated birth.
The researchers say suicide remains the leading cause of death among women between six weeks and one year after pregnancy in the UK, describing those deaths as the “tip of the iceberg” of wider maternal mental health difficulties.
Michelle says women experiencing trauma should not feel ashamed about asking for help.
“She's not a bad mother. She's an amazing mother and she's done the most amazing thing.”
She says women need to know they are not alone - and that support should be available before they reach crisis point.