Find Support
What support is available after a difficult or a traumatic birth - your options in the UK.
If your birth didn't go to plan, figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. You might not know what you're looking for yet, or whether what you're feeling is serious enough to reach out about. Whatever you are going through is valid and deserves support - you are in the right place.
There is no single right path, and different things help different people at different stages. Some women want to talk to others who have been through something similar. Some want to understand what support is available before they do anything. Some just want to know that what they are feeling is recognised.
Whatever brought you here, this page is a plain overview of what exists, from peer support and free resources to therapy and NHS pathways, so you can find what feels right for you.
Talk to other women who have been through it.
Mendara runs small, anonymous group sessions for women who have had a difficult birth experience. Sessions are text-based, completely anonymous, and led by a trained facilitator with her own lived experience of a difficult birth.
Developed in partnership with the Birth Trauma Association.
Speak to the Birth Trauma Association directly
The BTA is the UK's only charity dedicated solely to supporting women and families after a traumatic birth. You can contact them directly for information, signposting, and support.
Talk your GP
Your GP can refer you to your local NHS Talking Therapies service (in England, you can also self-refer without going through your GP first). This can give you access to trauma-focused CBT or EMDR, the two therapies most recommended for processing a difficult birth. Waiting times may vary.
Specialist therapy
If you would rather not wait, a private therapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) can usually see you more quickly. Sessions typically cost between £40 and £150 per hour. The BTA has a directory of therapists who specialise in this area.
7 Days of Mendara
7 Days of Mendara is a free, text-based series of moments to help you start processing your birth experience. Delivered to your phone over seven days. Short guided exercises, one day at a time.
For a full overview of professional support options
The Birth Trauma Association has a detailed guide to every type of support available, including how to access NHS and private therapy, what to expect from treatment, and support for physical injuries.