Reflection & Resolution Service (Maternity Postnatal Debriefing)
Occasionally, the birth experience may not be what you have hoped for and has left you feeling distressed, anxious or traumatised. These feelings and experiences can predispose postnatal depression and/or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). A service to discuss your birth experience is available to all women to discuss past, present and future birthing events. Talking to them can be beneficial to your psychological wellbeing.
You can call 01322 428487 or email dgn-tr.maternitydebriefservice@nhs.net
Baby Blues – You are not alone
1 in 2 women experiences the “Baby Blues” which usually occurs 2 to 4 days after having a baby.
The first few days with your baby can be a very overwhelming time for you and your partner. There is a lot to learn and do. Giving birth is an emotional and tiring experience and your hormones change dramatically, tiredness can impact on your emotional wellbeing, therefore we advise that you rest when baby sleeps, so accept all the help that is offered from family and friends.
How we think and feel has a big impact on our lives – just as our physical health can affect us day to day, so does our emotional well-being. We all need to look after ourselves and to take some “me time” each day. Please speak to your Midwife if you have any concerns, they will ask at each visit how you are feeling. Self-help groups may benefit you and medication could be another option if your GP feels it is indicated.
Mental Health Support for Expectant Mother’s & New Parents contact details:
- Community Midwives Office 01322 428753
- Maternity Assessment Unit 01322 428280
- Kent Single Point of Access 0300 222 0123
- North Kent Mind https://northkentmind.co.uk telephone: 01322 291380
- Mind Help Line 0300 123 3393
- Bexley & Greenwich Oxleas 24hour Mental Health Urgent Advice Line 0800 330 8590
- Essex Crisis Line: 0300 123 0808
- NHS 111/ 999 /GP /A&E
Common Problems New Mums May Encounter
Discomfort as the Perineum Heals and the Womb Contracts
You can take over the counter analgesia e.g. Paracetamol. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. Speak to your Pharmacist, Midwife or GP if you need advice, do not forget to tell them if you are breastfeeding.
Bleeding
Regardless of how you have birthed your baby, you will experience blood loss like a heavy period, which can last anything from one to three weeks. Each day the loss should gradually reduce, but there are certain things that might make it seem heavier. If you have got up after several hours of lying down, you may get a sudden heavy gush of blood - this is because blood has collected in the vagina. While you breast feed, the hormone that makes your breast milk flow also contracts the womb, so you may experience a slightly heavier loss during feeding. If your blood loss becomes heavy, has an offensive smell, is bright red or you pass large blood clots, please contact the emergency numbers or your GP.
Other Symptoms
If you experience any of the following symptoms or generally feel unwell, you must gain immediate advice via your Emergency Numbers, G.P or Community Midwife:
- Offensive smelling vaginal discharge.
- Wound appears infected.
- Mastitis (breast inflamed and painful – different from sore nipples).
- Raised temperature.
- Raised heart rate.
- Breathlessness.
- Experience abdominal pain.
- Nausea, headache.