Speak Up
We know it’s not easy.
If you haven’t done so already, try your best to open up to your loved ones. Whether that’s your partner, a friend or someone in your family, like a sibling or your mum. Share your feelings with someone you feel safe with and trust.
Please also consult a healthcare provider, such as your GP, a health visitor, a midwife, a social worker or another healthcare professional.
To help you have this conversation we have created the ‘I need help’ download - there’s a version for birthing women and people, and a version for partners. We explain how to use it below, just scroll down.
We’ve also created this helpful video here below, to explain the potential treatment options available to you within the NHS. Watch it before your appointment. And then use our ‘I need help’ download to explain how you’re feeling.
NHS treatment options for birth trauma
What support is available for you within the NHS? Our Co-founder Dr Emma Svanberg explains it to you in our video here:
Talking to your healthcare provider
What is our ‘I need help’ download?
Our ‘I need help’ download is a resource co-created with The PANDAS Foundation and NHS GP Dr Punam Krishan. This download is to help you have a conversation about the way you are feeling – mentally, physically, and emotionally – with your GP, health visitor, midwife, social worker or another healthcare professional providing you with support.
If you’ve given birth, download your document here.
If you’re a dad or non-gestational parent, download your document here.
We created this document based on services offered within mainland England – different parts of the United Kingdom may differ in their offering.
Sharing how you feel should help your healthcare worker to support you accordingly. It doesn’t matter whether your struggles relate to recent circumstances or events from a long time ago. We know this isn’t easy. So well done for getting this far.
Accessing the download
This resource is written in English. Please email us for assistance at hello@makebirthbetter.org or sally.bunkham@pandasfoundation.org.uk if you have any communication needs which mean you can’t access this download. This might be the case if you are neurodivergent, speak another language or you are deaf and/or blind.
How do I use the download?
The ‘I need help’ download can be used as a template which you customise. Or you can print it as it is and delete the words appropriately. There is a page at the end for your own free text or written words. Please use this to add more details if you feel comfortable to do so.
Please go gently as you move through this document. It is going to ask you to share information about your experiences which might feel upsetting. Share as much as feels comfortable and relevant for you. Please speak to a loved one or email us at Make Birth Better if you need support. You can also use The PANDAS Foundation’s free services.
If you feel it would help you to express how you are feeling emotionally, you could track your mood for a few days before your appointment daily and give it a score out of 10 where:
0 = I’m feeling hopeless / this is the worst I’ve ever felt
10 = I’m very happy / the best mood ever
You can then include them in the free text section at the end of the download.
What happens if I don’t get the support I need?
The support you receive should feel safe, non-judgemental and confidential. If you don’t feel your experience with a healthcare worker was handled in this way, please remember that there are next steps you can take.
If you have spoken to a healthcare worker and felt dismissed or disappointed with their support, please remember that you can:
Ask to see if different person e.g. ask to see a different GP at the same practice
Seek help from another provider e.g. a health visitor or midwife
Ask your local friends about their experiences – is there someone they talked to who offered good support?
Take a friend or family member with you to help support and advocate for you.
If English is not your first language, let your healthcare provider know that you need a translator.
Reach out to a charity for support on how best to have your difficulties heard. You can find details of PANDAS’ free services at The PANDAS Foundation or email us at Make Birth Better: hello@makebirthbetter.org
Ideas on how to improve this resource?
This resource has been co-produced by PANDAS and Make Birth Better with clinical support from NHS GP Dr Punam Krishan and Make Birth Better Co-founder and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist Dr Rebecca Moore. If there is something this download does not cover for you, please do get in touch and share your suggestions. Please address your email to Sally sally.bunkham@pandasfoundation.org.uk and Lauren at hello@makebirthbetter.org.
