After an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and baby loss, Jade finally brought her daughter River earthside — but instead of the newborn bubble she had imagined, she was met with relentless distress as her baby struggled with severe colic. Following years of cumulative grief and anxiety, Jade describes a ‘crash’ that overwhelmed her emotionally and physically. It was only when her mother-in-law stepped in that she was able to access the support she needed.

Despite her expertise as a midwife and academic, Helen describes her perinatal mental health experience with one word: ‘blindsided’. She developed post-traumatic stress disorder following a traumatic pregnancy marked by pre-eclampsia, IUGR, and a NICU admission, compounded by baby loss and ongoing IVF uncertainty. She reflects on the profound impact of psychological trauma in the perinatal period, both personally and professionally.