Has anyone used the birth after thoughts service?

[mowgelijeffs]

How was it? What was your experience?
I am going on Thursday and was wondering if anyone had some tips on how to get the most out of the experience?
Thank you

[Littlelegs19]

Is this another word for birth debrief? If yes, I got so much from mine. My PND and PTSD was getting pretty bad and after the debrief I felt a million times better. I wish I'd requested it earlier

[PragmaticWench]

Yes, and I ended up crying over the Midwife as I found out some traumatic things I'd not known about at the time. Very glad I went, it helped hugely. I still wish I'd made a formal complaint about my 'care' but didn't feel up to it at the time.

Overall it made me more confident for my next birth and informed my choices over that.

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

Yep. I had two or three sessions of counselling as well as the initial debrief. Be prepared that not all your questions may be answered, and try to come to terms with that. I had big gaps in my memory, and unfortunately the midwife didn't make any notes during that time, so there's no way of knowing what happened.

My DS was resuscitated after birth, and I was able to visit the room I delivered in, and the midwife talked me through exactly what happened to him on the resuscitaire machine, which was useful.

Good luck.

[mowgeli]

Thank you ladies.
I went about two weeks ago and I got some answers to my birth and pregnancy. They were both very traumatic and confusing.
It was good to see the ward again with healthy eyes instead of sick ones. It is a good service for mothers and I think more women should use it to help get closure.