Useful Weblinks

The links here are intended to provide visitors to our website with further places to go for help and advice. Please let us know if there are any other links you feel would be worthwhile for us to add to these pages. NB: We will not add links to business websites on these pages.

	Birth Trauma Association - West Midlands Branch The West Midlands Birth Trauma Association (BTA) has been set up to support women and their families who have suffered traumatic experiences in childbirth. Helpline Number 0800 046 9263 (Monday-Friday between 4 and 6pm).
	BTA Facebook Group The Birth Trauma Association now has a group on Facebook.
	Traumatic Birth Support Group - Babycentre A place to share your experiences and get support from people who have also had a difficult or traumatic birth.
	Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Babycentre A place to share your experiences and get support from people who have also suffered with PTSD following childbirth.
	Difficult Birth Debriefing Board - Babycentre Bulletin Board A web 'community' used by many BTA supporters to discuss ongoing issues after birth. The women are very friendly. They are aware of how tough and isolating it can be dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic or difficult birth and offer great advice and support. You need not be alone!
	Birth Trauma Group A Group which allows women to 'chat' with each other. Started by one of the BTA's founders, it runs a 'chat' every Monday at 8pm GMT when women can make contact with each other and share their problems and experiences. There are also birth story boards and boards on dealing with recovery and having another baby.

Other websites that may be useful

	Accessing Artemis This is an Australian group which supports women following birth. They say "Come here to tell us your story. Was your birth all you hoped for? Have you experienced a traumatic birth? Did you feel violated and devastated by the experience? We are building a community to support one another. Some of us are recovering from PTSD caused by birth trauma. Some of us have also experienced Postnatal Depression."
	Action against medical accidents Action against medical accidents is an independent charity which promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident. A 'medical accident' is where unintended harm has been caused as a result of treatment or failure to treat appropriately.
	Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) APP is a network of women across the UK who have experienced postpartum psychosis and who want to increase and support research into the condition. APP is run by a team of academics and health professionals from Cardiff and Birmingham universities and, most importantly, women who have recovered from PP.
	AIMS Association for Improvements in Maternity Services - They provide excellent information about birth and are happy to receive feedback from women about their experiences. A good source of advice about how to complain about your hospital treatment. AIMS also operate in Ireland - AIMS Ireland Weblink
	Amniotic Fluid Embolism An on-line support group for survivors of Amniotic Fluid Embolism. We consider survivors to be not only women who are AFE victims and live, but also families and friends of women who did not survive. AFE is often just as traumatic for a woman's family and friends.
	Anaesthetic Awareness Have you experienced awareness during caesarean section? Anaesthetic Awareness Network of UK and Ireland is a support and information network and also campaigns for prevention and wider awareness of the problem.
	Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health Members of ACPWH specialise in the physiotherapeutic care of women in relation to childbirth, both antenatally and postnatally, including the teaching of antenatal classes, in the treatment of incontinence (both female and male), and in the care of women undergoing gynaecological surgery.
	ASSIST ASSIST is a registered charity dedicated to offering confidential, emotional and practical support to individuals and families affected by trauma.
	The Baby Lady is a unique concept created by Jillian Lawrence to help take the fear out of pregnancy, birth and parenting. Some women and their partners have added complications these may be previous infertility, pregnancy or baby loss, past difficult birthing experiences or a difficult personal parenting experience. The Baby Lady offers support, empowerment, education and coping strategies, through person centered individual sessions, couple sessions and informal, fun courses.
	Birth Crisis Some great information and access to the 'birth crisis' network who offer reflective listening.
	BLISS BLISS, the premature baby charity, is dedicated to ensuring that the babies get the best care wherever they are born and that their parents and families get the support they need.
	Bonnie Babies This is a support charity for premature babies that currently sends tiny clothes, blankets and sadly burial outfits, to special care baby units. Also supports parents.
	Caesarean Birth and VBAC Information Gina and Debbie’s excellent site offer research-based information and support on all aspects of caesareans and vaginal birth following caesarean section.
	Csections.org is a site with balanced information about c/sections and the risks of c/s as against vaginal births.
	Conception and Birth Joanne Wren is an experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist and Thought Field Therapy Practitioner who works with couples who are coping with birth trauma and assists couples coping with stillbirth/neonatal loss. Joanne also helps couples to to clear the emotional issues which undermine fertility, conception, pregnancy and birth.
	Doula UK Doula UK is a network of doulas run voluntarily by doulas.The network started in February 2001 and it is a non-profitmaking organisation. Its aims are to promote the role of doulas, to improve communication between doulas, and to advance understanding of birth and the postnatal period
	electivecaesarean.com has been created by journalist Pauline McDonagh, who believes that we can only make an ‘informed choice’ about our birth if we are provided with more information to make that choice.
	The Erb's Palsy Group The Erb's Palsy Group offer advice and information on the injury Erb's Palsy / Brachial Plexus Paralysis. The majority of Erb's cases are due to a birth trauma.
	Erb's Palsy Group Friends UK Erb's Palsy Group Friends UK. An online support community for people with Erb's Palsy and their family and friends.
	FEDANT is the Developing Lead Body for Antenatal Teachers and providers of antenatal education in the United Kingdom. It is a non-profit body and services to parents are free of charge.
	HER Foundation Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a debilitating disease of pregnancy marked by moderate to severe nausea/vomiting that causes rapid weight loss, malnutrition and dehydration in the mother, and unknown consequences for their unborn child(ren). The HER Foundation are a non-profit foundation dedicated to hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) research and education, and to supporting those who are suffering from HG or have survived it. They have some great information on PTSD.
	Homebirths An independent midwife's site run by a midwife who has had alot of experience dealing with women who have suffered previous traumatic births.
	Joe Bingley Memorial Foundation The Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation is a new organisation, which aims to help women and their families by raising awareness and providing information about postnatal depression. The Foundation was set up by Chris Bingley after his wife committed suicide at the end of April 2010 as a result of severe postnatal depression; just 10 weeks after the birth of their baby.
	Life Hounslow Free & Confidential help for unexpected pregnancy and pregnancy loss.  Free pregnancy testing.  Counselling for unplanned pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage.  Practical support for new parents.
	MIDIRS (Midwives Information and Resource Service) is an educational charity set up in 1985, providing information and practical resources to maternity healthcare professionals.
	Midwives online An excellent source of information for midwives and parents.
	mumsnet.com 'By parents - for parents', this site has a wealth of information and helpful advice on all aspects of parenting. Mumsnet is an online network of parents pooling their knowledge on everything from how to get a baby to sleep through the night to the best places to go on holiday with a five-year-old. Visit mumsnet for advice, tips and product recommendations from the people who know best, other parents.
	The National Childbirth Trust Really needs no introduction, the NCT offers support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood and aims to give every parent the chance to make informed choices.
	Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAIT) A genetic disorder that can affect fetuses or newborn babies. When an unborn baby's platelets are not recognised by the mother's body, she sometimes makes antibodies which attach to the baby's platelets. This can cause babies to bleed into their brain, stomach or spinal chord, prior to or shortly after birth. Babies can be at serious risk of brain damage or death.
	Netmums Netmums is a unique local network for Mums (or Dads), offering a wealth of information. Once you have registered on your local site you can access details for all kinds of local resources, from child-friendly cafes to childminders, places to go and much, much more. You can also chat with local mums in the coffee house, read other mums local recommendations and check out information on pre-schools or schools in your area.
	Parent's Ribbons This idea helps parents separated from their babies before meeting them. When a baby is admitted to NICU, two different coloured ribbons (one for each parent) are stuck on the incubator with sellotape. The ribbons are sewn to a safety pin prior to supply to NICU so that they can be worn as a lapel badge. These are then given to Mum and Dad on their first visit to baby in NICU.
	Pelvic Instability Network (Scotland) Pelvic Instability Network Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity founded in October 2007 and run by a group of volunteers. Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is the name given to pain in one or more joints of the pelvis and mobility problems most commonly associated with pregnancy. It was formerly known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or "SPD" and these terms are still regularly used. You may also see it referred to as "pelvic arthropathy" "pelvic girdle relaxation","pelvic girdle dysfunction" ,"pelvic ring syndrome", "posterior pelvic pain" and "sacro iliac joint dysfunction". This site has a wealth of information about PGP.
	Pelvic Partnership The Pelvic Partnership is run by volunteers, all of whom have personal experience of Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). The Pelvic Partnership aims to give information and support to minimise the impact of pelvic pain on women, to prevent deterioration and to achieve a quick recovery.
	P.M.S. & P.N.D Support P.M.S. & P.N.D Support was founded in 1988 and is a voluntary organization run by sufferers and ex-sufferers of Premenstrual Syndrome and Post Natal Depression. It offers excellent advice and support.
	PNI Website This is a mutual support and self help group for women who have suffered traumatic births and post natal illnesses. Forum Direct link: http://veritee.proboards7.com
	Postpartum Hemorrhage Survivors (PPH) Women who are supporting each other after a postpartum hemorrhage and hysterectomy.
	Red Poppy This is a private counselling organisation which specialises in trauma treatment. They have previously treated women who have been traumatised by their birth experience.
	SANDS SANDS is working to support bereaved parents and families, and to press for improvements in care during pregnancy and when a baby has died.
	Scope Scope is a disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. For advice, information and support, email at response@scope.org.uk or call free on 0808 800 3333. Open 9am – 7pm weekdays and 10am – 2pm Saturdays
	Tommys If you have been told you are at risk of having a premature baby, or if you have already had a premature baby, you are likely to have lots of questions. Tommys pages should help you find the answers.
	Trauma and Birth Stress This New Zealand group are pioneers in this area and have some fantastic information on birth trauma.
	The UK Birth Research Network is set up to encourage research into the psychological aspects of childbirth. It is an excellent resource for those who would like to become involved in research. Hopefully, it will help to improve the outcomes for all women traumatised by childbirth. It has a comprehensive list of the latest available research and contact details of lead researchers in the field.
	Volunteer Doula Project Part of a charitable trust based in Hull, Newland & Avenue Sure Start has developed a pioneering project to recruit, train and match up volunteer Doulas with pregnant women who need support at what can be a lonely and difficult time.