Perinatal Mental Health Podcasts
The Perinatal Mental Health Team at Transformation Partners in Health and Care (TPHC) have created a miniseries of podcasts focussing on different areas of perinatal mental health; from the perspective of specialist midwives, healthcare professionals, lived experience practitioners, women/birthing people, and partners.
Each episode focuses on a different element of perinatal mental health and how it can affect women/birthing people and their families. As well as exploring the signs and symptoms, many of which are not always obvious to recognise and understand. In each episode, we speak with inspiring mothers who have navigated trauma, mental health challenges and experiences they never imagined prior to having their babies.
‘It was important for me, as a mother, a midwife and now an Lived Experience Practitioner to create something that was honest and open, and that can ultimately help women to understand what they are going through. In the busy days of parenthood, we can mistake and sometimes mask the signs of deteriorating mental health for ‘just being a parent’ or ‘just being tired’. In the podcasts, we talk about many common feelings that women/birthing people experience but keep to themselves out of fear or misinformation because these issues are not always openly discussed and talked about’.
Chelsea Tudhope, TPHC Lived Experience Practitioner
These podcasts aim to try and dispel some of the myths and taboos around perinatal mental health and encourage open and honest conversations about this element of the perinatal period – 1 in 5 women will experience mental health problems during this time.
The conversations within these episodes aim to provide support to those who may be struggling with understanding what they are feeling or experiencing.
The conversations are honest and at some points difficult. There are elements that may be triggering due to the nature of the subject matter. If you do find any of these podcasts triggering, there is support and help available. In the first instance, we would encourage you to contact either your GP or midwife.
Episode 1 – Laura Bridle
The role of specialist midwives and getting the right perinatal mental health support
In this episode, Chelsea Tudhope and Meghan Mathieson speak with Laura Bridle, a specialist midwife working in a Maternal Mental Health service in London.
We look at the role that Laura, as a specialist midwife plays in supporting women to get the right perinatal mental health support for their needs depending on the severity and complexity of their issues.
As you listen, you may feel you identify and relate to what we are discussing and want to find support. We encourage you to use our website to find support that is local to you. TPHC is not a crisis service and so, in the first instance we would encourage you to contact your GP, midwife, or local services to support you.
View a transcript of this episode here.
Episode 2 – Honey Attridge
Sharing experience of birth trauma and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
In this episode, Chelsea Tudhope and Meghan Mathieson speak with Honey Attridge, who shares the story of the birth of her daughter Sophie. The time she spent in the NICU and how Honey and her husband navigated both the physical and mental side of this journey.
Honey shares some advice to parents who may be going through the same thing as well as how the experience affected her, the way she parents because of it and how she has worked to overcome the trauma.
As you listen, you may feel you identify and relate to what we are discussing and want to find support. We encourage you to use our website to find support that is local to you. TPHC is not a crisis service and so, in the first instance, we would encourage you to contact your GP, midwife, or local services to support you.
View a transcript of this episode here.
Episode 3 – Milli and Mark Richards
My journey with Postpartum Depression – from recognition to treatment
In this episode, Chelsea Tudhope and Meghan Mathieson speak with Milli and Mark Richards. Milli and Mark are parents to two daughters, Winnie and Ada and in this podcast they talk about their experience of navigating Milli’s postpartum depression from speaking about it together, finding help and Milli’s journey to recovery.
They share some advice to parents, families and partners who may be going through the same thing as well as how the experience affected them both, the way they parent because of it and the key elements of both recognition and support that they want others to be aware of.
As you listen, you may feel you identify and relate to what we are discussing and want to find support. We encourage you to use our website to find support that is local to you. TPHC is not a crisis service and so, in the first instance we would encourage you to contact your GP, midwife, or local services to support you.
View a transcript of this episode here.
Support organisations
Maternal Mental Health Services: Maternal Mental Health Sites within London
Motherhood Group: The Motherhood Group – Supporting the Black Maternal Experience
Masic: Supporting women with injuries from childbirth
Maternal Journal: Join a group — Maternal Journal
Maternal OCD: Maternal OCD 10 years on – Welcome to Maternal OCD
PACT: Parenting classes, Spanish mammas and Black parents Parents and Communities Together (PACT) – Citizens UK
Hub of Hope: Find wide spectrum of support for mental illness in your area. Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope
BLISS: For babies born premature or sick
Talking Therapies: Find an NHS talking therapies services
Music, Football and Fatherhood: Music Football Fatherhood | For dads who want more open conversations around fatherhood
LGBT Mummies: LGBT Mummies
APP: Action on Post Partum Psychosis
Make Birth Better: For you, for all
Birth Trauma Association: Are you looking for help after a traumatic birth?
Maternal Mental Health Alliance: Awarness.Education.Action