A Guernsey mental health service is running group therapy sessions to help women process traumatic birth experiences.
Healthy Minds says around 5% of women in the UK experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after childbirth - experiencing anxiety, depression and flashbacks for weeks, months or even years after the fact.
The doctors at Healthy Minds already offer individual psychological therapy to women who have experienced birth trauma but want to see if a group setting would work.
Four free weekly 90-minute sessions for up to 10 women are being organised, starting at the end of March.
Without sharing details of their experience, the participants can learn coping strategies for PTSD symptoms and how to process the traumatic memories of the birth experience.
Counselling Psychologist Dr Amy Gilmour says there is no shame in getting help.
“Birth can be a wonderful experience, but for some, it can be frightening or even traumatic, leading to what is known as psychological birth-related trauma.
"Even if there was no physical trauma, the shock of what happened during birth can lead to various mental health challenges
"We are delighted to be able to launch this group for those who experience this kind of trauma, and we hope that those attending will find it therapeutic and comforting.
"If the sessions receive positive feedback, we hope to hold more of them in the future for others who can benefit from this support in a group setting.”
To self-refer to the group go to gov.gg/healthyminds or email: healthyminds@gov.gg
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