The Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service - also known as M-TLC - provides specialist support and treatment to: women and pregnant people, those who have experienced pregnancy or birth, their families and supported network - who are affected by birth trauma or baby loss.

We work in partnership with Central North West London mental health and maternity Trusts, and the service has been developed in conjunction with Experts by Experience with the invaluable input of women and families who have faced maternity trauma and loss. The service aims to meet the needs of women and families in a gentle, empathic way. We are dedicated to helping alleviate suffering and distress. 

Who we are

We are a small team of:

  • Psychological practitioners
  • Specialist midwives
  • Administrators.

We are passionate about, and dedicated to, supporting women and those closest to them, through this difficult time in their lives.  We are open, friendly and welcoming. We are always keen to hear your feedback about using the service, to ensure it best meets your needs.   

The service is being rolled out in a phased way - see the referral criteria for more information about who can refer at this stage. 

The maternity trauma and loss care service is for people:

  • Aged 18+
  • Who are resident in one of the 8 North West London boroughs – Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

For whom any of the following apply:

  • You have a severe fear of childbirth (with or without previous experience of pregnancy)
  • You're currently pregnant (and booked for maternity care with one of the 6 NWL maternity hospitals), have had a pregnancy or have given birth in the past 12 months, and are affected by:
    • A traumatic birth
    • Trauma due to baby loss during pregnancy or within the first year. Please note that we only accept referrals that are one month post-trauma/loss to allow for natural grieving/healing processes.
  • You've experienced other traumatic events or experiences which are negatively impacting their current pregnancy or experience of parenting during the first year after giving birth. 

Please note that this service is currently unable to provide support for parents who have a baby that is no longer in their care; this includes women whose baby is in the care of the Local Authority.

We offer individual, evidence-based care, taking into account what has or hasn’t helped in the past. We will work with each woman to ensure that treatment is suited to meet their particular needs.

Our team offers the following:

  • Individual talking therapies
  • Group therapies
  • Emotional support
  • Detailed birth planning
  • Advice on other services that may be helpful now or in the future
  • Information on support services for partners and significant others.

The service accepts both self-referrals and referrals from health and social care professionals, such as GPs, midwives or health visitors. Consent MUST be obtained from the woman before any professional initiates a referral.

Refer yourself to the maternity trauma and loss care service

Refer someone to the service (professional's referral form) 

What happens after referral?   
    

All referrals will be triaged by a maternity trauma and loss care clinician, and if it's established that the service is suitable to provide support or treatment, an initial assessment appointment will be offered. 

Initial assessments will take place either face to face or online, as appropriate. If it's considered that there is a more appropriate service available, you will be contacted to discuss this further and offered advice and support with a referral to an alternative service.

Interpreting and translation
   
An interpreter can be requested to be present at appointments, either in person, via video or over the phone. It's also possible to request written information to be translated. Please let the team know if an interpreter or translation is required.

For non-pregnant women and those who have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth or a neonatal loss or birth trauma.

For pregnant women, the service is available only to those receiving care at the following maternity units:

  • Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
  • West Middlesex Hospital
  • Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital
  • St Mary’s Hospital
  • Northwick Park Hospital
  • Hillingdon Hospital.

You can download and print our patient leaflet here