Information and support in one place.

Suffering a maternal birth injury is an emotional and confusing time. Many also suffer from mental health issues following a birth trauma.

This page lists support services that can help women following a birth injury.

It also shows other support services that may be relevant such as birth injury to baby and support for partners and family members.

Maternal injury

Some women can suffer from an injury during the birth process which can cause trauma, longer recovery and can affect a women’s day to day quality of life. Some of the common injuries to mothers include:

Bladder and bowel complications

There are several different bladder and/or bowel complications that can arise during and following birth.

Episiotomy and perineal tears

The perineum (area between the vagina and anus) may tear when a baby is delivered.

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a term used to describe several conditions including vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse and bladder prolapse.

Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)

Postpartum haemorrhage is when a woman experiences excessive bleeding following birth.

Postpartum Infections

When bacteria infects the uterus and surrounding areas after birth, it is known as a puerperal infection.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive condition which affects pregnant women, with symptoms usually beginning after 20 weeks’ gestation.

Retained placenta

After a baby is born, the placenta should also be delivered. The midwifes and obstetricians caring for mothers are trained to check that the placenta and all membranes have been safely delivered in childbirth.

Maternal mental health

Many women will seek help for their child who might have suffered an injury but often forget the importance of their mental health. We have put together some resources that can advise and support with following:

Bereavement

There are many charities offering support to anyone that has experienced the loss of a child.

Postnatal Illness

Some parents may experience depression after having a baby. This is known as postnatal depression or illness.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder. It may be caused by stressful, frightening or distressing events and can develop immediately following an event or many weeks, months or years later.

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