New therapy service for those suffering baby loss grief and trauma | News and events

People who have felt the devastating loss of a baby can access a new service through Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust in partnership with maternity colleagues at Ipswich and West Suffolk hospitals.

The Perinatal Loss Pathway will provide psychological therapy focusing on grief and trauma for women who were pregnant and experienced a perinatal loss. 

The team will work alongside existing services, such as Petals and Suffolk Wellbeing, to offer therapy to people who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties as a result of perinatal loss. This could include miscarriage (including early and recurrent), still birth, termination and neonatal death.

“Experiencing a loss during the perinatal period can be devastating, and the impact upon parents can be wide ranging. There are a number of natural responses that people can have in response to the loss, including sadness, grief, low mood, self-blaming, anger, frustration, mood swings and feelings of loneliness and helplessness,” said clinical psychologist Dr Lauren Staples.

“Whilst these feelings and responses are understandable if they persist or worsen to the degree that they start to significantly impact upon the ability to function and upon someone’s day-to-day life and/or their relationships then they may require a higher level of support.”

The service is part of a long-term plan and strategy for maternal mental health services in Suffolk.

“At the moment the service is only able to offer therapy to the person who was pregnant, however, we recognise that partners and family members may also need support. If you are concerned about the partner of someone who has experienced perinatal loss and you think they may benefit from talking therapy, then please encourage them to talk to their GP. They can also self-refer to Suffolk Wellbeing service,” said Dr Staples.

NSFT chief nurse Anthony Deery said: “Losing a baby is devastating and this new higher level of support can provide safer, kinder and better help with focused therapy for those who have suffered that trauma.”

The service is not able to offer crisis support. If anyone you know is in crisis, call NHS 111 and select ‘mental health option’.