Birth Reflections
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The Birth reflections service provides the opportunity to explore your birth experiences with a qualified healthcare professional.
Every woman and birthing person’s experience of labour and birth is different. For some, the way they feel about their birth experience can affect the way that they feel about themselves, their baby, their partner, their family or future pregnancies.
Many women and birthing people have unanswered questions about their experience of labour and birth. For some, labour and birth may not have been what they expected or planned. It can sometimes be difficult to understand what happened without information “to fill in the gaps.” It is not always easy to take in all the information given at the time or just after birth and sometimes events can be difficult to understand.
Birth reflections offers:
- A one-to-one discussion with an experienced midwife.
- A private and open discussion where you can ask any questions which may help you understand your experience better.
- The opportunity to review your maternity records.
The aims of the service:
- To help women and birthing people explore and understand their experience of labour and birth.
- To support women and birthing people to reflect and discuss any issues that their birth experience may have highlighted.
- To explore the reasons why certain decisions were made during labour and birth.
We are committed to your wellbeing, and we value your suggestions and comments about your experience. To arrange a birth reflections appointment please:
Fill out the form at the bottom of this webpage and you will be sent an appointment in the post. If you cannot make the appointment or there are any barriers to you accessing this service, please contact the Professional Midwifery Advocate of the week Monday-Friday (9am-5pm) via the hospital switchboard (01908 660 033) or email the Birth Reflections team on [email protected]
Important Information
- Birth Reflections is not a complaints or counselling service. Please ask your Midwife, GP, or Health Visitor if you need help to access more information about these services.
- A birth reflections appointment can be arranged soon after the birth of your baby. We would advise that your appointment does not take place until at least six weeks after the birth.
- You may not feel birth reflections is right for you at the moment. There is no time limit for accessing the service and you can contact us at any time.
Other Useful Numbers:
- National Childbirth Trust 03003 300 700
- Milton Keynes Pregnancy Crisis Centre 01908 230 508
- Baby Basics MK – 07514 135 966
- City Counselling 01908 231 131
- The Samaritans 0845 7909 090 or 01908 667 777
- Brook Counselling (under 24s only) 01908 669 215
- Relate 01908 310 010
- Your GP or Health Visitor may also be able to advise and support you.