Support Initiative Launched for Women Affected by Baby Loss

An initiative has been introduced to support women who have suffered the loss of a baby. This Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service (PTLS) is designed to provide assessment, psychological treatment, and specialist midwifery support to individuals facing moderate, severe, or complex mental health challenges. Initially, PTLS’s coverage will encompass Cambridge and Ely. Its reach is scheduled to expand in 2025 to include Peterborough, Huntingdon, and Fenland. Dr Zoe Rawlings, PTLS’s principal clinical psychologist, stated, “We are proud to be opening to referrals and supporting women towards their recovery.” She further commented, “The loss of a baby is a devastating experience for many families. We have put a lot of thought into how best to support those who will be referred to our service, including getting the views of mothers with lived experience of losing a baby.” Access to PTLS is available to women through their general practitioner or another healthcare professional. Data from the bereavement charity Sands indicates that, within the UK, 13 families daily experience the loss of a baby either before, during, or shortly after birth. Furthermore, 15% of pregnancies conclude in miscarriage. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for establishing PTLS. For updates on Peterborough news, information is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.