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True North Productions are currently developing a
potential documentary that hopes to sensitively and compassionately
tell the story of women who suffer from a morbid fear of pregnancy
and childbirth.
To help us with our research we would very much like to hear from
women who have had or who have a fear of giving birth to speak
with them about their experiences and the effect it has had on
their life. For an have an off camera informal chat with no commitment
to filming please contact Anna Dickeson on 0113
2227878 or annadickeson@truenorthproductions.co.uk
For more information on True North please visit our website: www.truenorthproductions.co.uk |
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A top UK women's weekly is looking for case studies
for a sensitive report on male post-natal depression.
The feature will be a factual, informative piece that will offer
help and advice for any men suffering from this condition. We would
also be interested in talking to partners of sufferers too.
If you would like to take part, all that would be involved is
a short telephone interview. We would also need to publish your
photograph. Your story will be read back to you before publication
to ensure it is factually accurate.
We realise this may be a very difficult thing for you to talk
about, but please rest assured you would be treated with the utmost
sensitivity and respect. And as a thank you for your time, we can
pay a generous fee, which can be donate to charity if you wish.
For more information, please contact Kelly on 0207
198 3124 or
at kelly.ellis@newsmagazines.co.uk.
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Have you given birth recently,
or suffered from a traumatic childbirth experience? If
so, can you spare a few minutes to help with the following on
line questionnaire.
Rachel Harris is undertaking the research study
at Sussex University with the help of Dr Susan Ayers who has undertaken
a great deal of the leading research into PTSD in this country.
The current study is investigating women's memories of childbirth,
to try to better understand what makes some birth experiences traumatic.
These research studies are contributing enormously to our understanding
of PTSD so your help is really appreciated. |
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Professor
Cheryl Beck and the
University of Connecticut
are conducting
a research study
on Subsequent Childbirth after a Previous Birth Trauma. If
you would like to
take part in the research, please read the Recruitment
Notice (PDF).
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If you are reading this because you are suffering
from Post Traumatic Stress symptoms, you know how debilitating
they can be, especially while trying to care for a baby as well.
Whilst childbirth is considered to be a normal process, it may
be a traumatic experience for many reasons (eg because of obstetric
interventions during the birth or because of the pain during labour
or because a woman did not feel in control of what was going on
etc). Although some of you may have had difficult births, others
of you may not. I am interested in finding out why some people
develop PTSD symptoms and others do not.
In addition to birth factors, there is some evidence to suggest
that women who experienced a particular type of parenting when
they were young develop certain types of adult relationships when
they are older and are more prone to develop PTSD symptoms after
childbirth, irrespective of how difficult labour and delivery had
been. If this was found to be the case, it might be possible to
identify these women during pregnancy so that they can be offered
additional support from their GPs or midwives. This should reduce
the distress that many women are currently experiencing.
I am therefore carrying out some research and am looking for
as many women as possible to fill in some questionnaires. The pack
of questionnaires should take no longer than 50 minutes to fill
in and will be completely anonymous. If you would
be willing to take part in this research (and have a child of less
than 2 years old), please email karen.halford@hmc.ox.ac.uk with
your name and address and you will be sent more information about
the study, together with a pack of questionnaires (and a stamped
addressed envelope).
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
With very best wishes
Karen Halford
(This study has been given a favourable ethical opinion for conduct
in the NHS by the Oxford A Research Ethics Committee. The REC reference
number is 07/H0604/89) |
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Birth
Trauma Awareness Day - The first ever Annual Birth Trauma
Awareness Day took place on Saturday 18th August 2007.
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Panorama - BBC1 8pm -
Understaffed and overstretched...a BBC Panorama investigation has
discovered. Undercover reporter, Hayley Cutts, tells of the crisis
in care she found while working as a volunteer on two large maternity
units in the UK- Find
out more |
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URGENTLY NEEDED, MORE
MEDIA VOLUNTEERS - The BTA urgently needs more women
prepared to speak to the media about their experiences of childbirth
trauma. Getting the message into the press, on TV and radio is
the most effective way that you can help to bring about change.
Please email us
if you can help. |
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The NICE Intrapartum
Care guideline will be hugely influential and we really
need to make sure it is right. We would love to have your comments
and views so that we can represent them to NICE.
You
can view the guidance here. Expected date of issue for
these guidelines is September 2007. |
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All Independent Midwives have been informed that the
government is intending to make professional indemnity insurance
(PII) a compulsory requirement. There is currently no PII available
to independent midwives so they will no longer be able to practice
legally. If you agree that women should still have the choice of
an independant midwife and that this service should remain, show
you support and sign the No10
petition here |
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Healthcare Commission announces
major review of maternity services - Find
out more here |
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Do
you avoid pregnancy / childbirth despite
wanting a baby? Would
you like to help with research into this issue? I am willing
to travel anywhere in the UK to interview you. If you think
you can help, please contact, Debbie
Onley (Wolverhampton University). Find
out more here. |
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The BTA urgently needs
more women prepared to speak to the media about their experiences
of childbirth trauma. Getting the message into the press, on TV
and radio is the most effective way that you can help to bring
about change. Please can you email enquiries with
a two or three line summary of what happened and your telephone
number. |
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UNFPA is launching
a one month advertising campaign in the UK to raise awareness and
funds for obstetric fistula. The ad materials include a 60-second
public service announcement, magazine ads, tube ads that will appear
in the underground and bus system all over London. Visit the website to
find out more about the campaign to end the trauma and immense
suffering that fistula causes. |
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The BTA gets lots of enquiries from the US. Jodi
Kluchar has contacted us because she has set up a much
needed online support group in the US. Click
here to login. |
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We have been contacted by a counsellor with experience
of traumatic birth and neo-natal death. Marcia Burton describes
herself as strong, compassionate and humorous. She works in the South
Devon and Exeter areas and can be contacted on 01364 73134. |
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Veryan Cooper is studying to be a hypnotherapist/psychotherapist
and has a special interest in PTSD as she has suffered PTSD herself.
Veryan has written an article about 'coming through' PTSD entitled I
love daffodils – a journey through PTSD. Read
the article here |
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Write to your MP!
Over the summer we’ve written to top politicians
highlighting the work of the BTA and now it’s time to get
the word out to the MPs. They need to know that their constituents
need support. Nilmini has drafted a template letter to send to
your local MPs - Download
the template letter here
You can find your MP by visiting: http://www.locata.co.uk/commons
Write to MPs at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
Please email Nil when
you have sent a letter and also if you have received a reply. The more
of us who write in the more serious the issue becomes!
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We have been notified of a campaign about continuity
of care. To find out more, please visit the website, onemotheronemidwife or
add your name to the petition
here. |
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Latest NICE Guidelines
Download the latest NICE
(National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Guidelines on
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
