A library of specialist mental health resources for women accessing Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s Perinatal Mental Health Service to support their recovery, has been funded by Health Stars.
Perinatal mental health problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. Perinatal mental illness affects up to 27% of new and expectant mums and covers a wide range of conditions.
Katy Morley, Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service Development Manager said:
“A significant number of women accessing the service experience symptoms of PTSD, often linked to historical trauma or traumatic perinatal events. These new resources enabled us to create personalised grounding packs to help women develop coping strategies to stabilise and manage distressing symptoms such as flashbacks.”
“The resources are also beneficial for women experiencing anxiety, low mood, or sensory and emotional regulation difficulties. With more women identifying as neurodivergent, including those with autism or ADHD, the resources play an important role in supporting their specific needs.”
One of the core interventions offered by the service is mental health birth planning, which helps women prepare for a safer, more positive birth experience. The items funded by Health Stars were incorporated into these plans, offering practical ways to manage anxiety during labour and reduce the risk of further trauma or perinatal mental health complications.
Staff within the service also saw a rise in women reporting maternal intrusive thoughts: something research suggests affects up to 70% of mothers at a significant level. The new library included carefully selected books that helped women understand, normalise and manage these thoughts, offering reassurance and guidance grounded in clinical expertise.
Because the resources were shared through a library system, they supported not only the women accessing the service at the time but will continue to benefit many more families in the years ahead.
