Local women share their experiences as Ipswich sees surge in maternal mental health support

Why it matters: With suicide remaining the leading cause of death for mothers between six weeks and one year after birth, access to mental health support is crucial for maternal wellbeing.

By the numbers:

• 540 mothers accessed perinatal services in Ipswich and East Suffolk in the year to November

• Up from 495 the previous year and a significant rise from 300 in 2021-22

• Nationally, more than 62,700 people received support, up 16% year-on-year

What they're saying: Lisa Dawson , Partner and Head of Family at Ellisons, shared her personal experience:

Becoming a parent, whether for the first time or not, is completely overwhelming. After my daughter's difficult birth, I felt both mentally and physically battered. Second time around, my fear of labour was intense, and I had to actively seek out support through hypnobirthing to manage that anxiety.

She highlighted the impact of sleep deprivation: "My son was a terrible sleeper, and for years I functioned on just one to three hours of sleep a night. No one can truly explain to you what that level of sleep deprivation does to you mentally. It left me feeling useless as a parent, as an employee, and as a person."

Hannah Bryan, a receptionist at Attwells Solicitors, described how she received no mental health support following an emergency C-section in March 2022: "I didn't receive any face to face postnatal checks...the only check I received was a 6 week postnatal check over the telephone."

"Luckily my family and friends and partner at the time gave me the support I needed," she added.

The bigger picture: The NHS has established 41 maternal mental health clinics across England, offering specialist support from psychologists and midwives. These clinics help address issues including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder following birth trauma

• Perinatal loss

• Severe fear of childbirth

Support systems: Dawson described mixed experiences with formal support: "With my first child, support felt more structured – midwives, health visitors, breastfeeding groups. Second time around, it was assumed I knew what I was doing."

She noted: "Ultimately, our biggest support was family and friends. They gave us respite when we needed it most, and my husband and I found a way to share the sleepless nights so we could both just about function."

Expert view: Karen Middleton, head of campaigns and policy for the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, said: "More women accessing specialist perinatal mental health services locally is, in some ways, welcome news, as it highlights the progress made to ensure care is available in areas of the UK where it wasn't before."

However, she cautioned: "We cannot for a minute think it is job done," adding that inequity in care "must be eliminated."

Practical advice: Both local mothers emphasised the importance of seeking help.

"Don't be ashamed to ask for help," urged Dawson. "Whether you're struggling with exhaustion, anxiety or postnatal depression, reaching out for support doesn't mean you're failing – it means you're doing everything you can to be the best parent possible."

Bryan advised: "Push for a face to face post-natal appointment if you can and ask for help from family and friends if you can."

The bottom line: The NHS reports nearly nine in 10 women now receive mental health support during pregnancy, with services urging those who are struggling to contact their GP for help.

Attwells Solicitors

An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Ellisons Solicitors

Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.