Concerns about pregnant mums in Lincolnshire and Newark experiencing mental health issues

It's thought many mums are not coming forward to get help

Pregnant woman
Author: Andy MarshPublished 7th May 2024

Today we're hearing about the problems many pregnant women across Lincolnshire and Newark experience with mental health issues.

It's feared many may not be getting the support they need and suffering in silence.

That's despite the fact that there is help out there.

We've spoken to Jodie Allenby from Cleethorpes who has a mental health problem where big life changes can cause anxiety.

She told us: "I went home and I just struggled and that was the point I messaged and I said - I need to go back to hospital."

"They got me the support I needed."

My initial thought was he was going to be taken from me because I'm struggling

"I think it was three more days I was in there the whole team came up with a plan of support so I was visited at least twice a week for the next month."

"In my initial midwifery booking if I hadn't mentioned that I'd had previous mental health episodes and struggled in the past - if I'd just kept quiet about it - I'd have never had that support during pregnancy and after."

"There was talk of me going to a mother and baby unit but I was that mentally unwell when he was born - I could have ended up at Harrison House (a mental health support unit in Grimsby) and be split up from Zachary my son."

"My initial thought was he was going to be taken from me because I'm struggling and I don't deserve him."

"But actually everyone was there to help and no one wanted to separate me and Zachary - everyone wanted to keep us together - it was never anyone's intention."

There's so many aspects of pregnancy in the post natal period that can be quite isolating - feel really lonely

Katie is a Perinatal Mental health nurse at the trust that covers Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals.

She says: "Any health practitioner a lady comes into contact with we can put a referral through - even if she's not sure what that help might look like."

"If she can share any of those feelings - any difficulties at all - it will come through and we'll triage that and make sure that right support is offered for that lady."

"There's so many aspects of pregnancy in the post natal period that can be quite isolating - feel really lonely."

"I guess when that's the first time - not knowing what's normal - what's not normal. "

"I think for us it's really helpful to raise awareness to tell people know what we can be helpful with."

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