Women using maternity services at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital will have access to additional emotional wellbeing support following the launch of NOOR Maternal Wellbeing. The new partnership will strengthen the support available to women during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby, recognising that becoming a parent can bring emotional challenges alongside the joy of welcoming a new arrival. NOOR will work alongside maternity teams at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, providing another route to support for women who may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, isolation, feelings of being overwhelmed or other challenges affecting their emotional wellbeing.
The service is designed to complement, rather than replace, the care and relationships women already have with their midwives and other healthcare professionals. Katie Philpott, Head of Midwifery said: “Having a baby can be an incredibly joyful time, but it can also be challenging. At Midland Met, we want every woman to know that she does not have to struggle alone. As midwives, we look after the whole person. Pregnancy and the period after birth can bring enormous change, and looking after a woman’s emotional wellbeing is every bit as important as supporting her physical health.
“The launch of NOOR gives us another way of supporting women and families. It means we can connect women with additional wellbeing support alongside the maternity care they are already receiving.
“Most importantly, we want women to talk to us. You do not have to wait until things reach crisis point and there should be no stigma or embarrassment about saying you are struggling. Talk to your midwife, and together with services such as NOOR, we can help you find the support that is right for you.”
The partnership is particularly important given the diverse communities served by Midland Met. Both organisations want women to feel that support is welcoming, accessible and responsive to their individual circumstances and background.
Kathleen Roche-Nagi managing director of NOOR Maternal Wellbeing, said: “Pregnancy, birth and becoming a parent can be life-changing experiences, and women can sometimes find themselves facing emotions or challenges they had not expected. NOOR is here to provide a safe and welcoming space where women can talk openly about how they are feeling and receive support that is right for them.
“We know that taking that first step can be difficult, particularly if someone feels nervous, embarrassed or is unsure whether what they are experiencing is ‘serious enough’. Our message is simple: you do not have to have the right words and you do not need to know what support you need before speaking to us. By working alongside the maternity team at Midland Met, we hope to make it easier for women to start that conversation and get support as early as possible.”
The introduction of NOOR reflects a shared commitment to tackling stigma around maternal mental health and ensuring women know that asking for help is a positive step towards looking after themselves and their baby.
Women are encouraged to speak to their midwife if they have concerns about how they are feeling, even if they are unsure what kind of help they may need. For more information visit the website: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/