A safe space to talk about your pregnancy, labour and birth experience
Many women and birthing people find that birth brings a mix of emotions. For some, it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or very different from what they expected. It’s completely normal to want to talk through what happened, understand why certain decisions were made, or explore any feelings that have stayed with you.
The Birth Reflections Service is here to support you.
What is the Birth Reflections Service?
The Birth Reflections Service offers you the chance to talk about your pregnancy, labour, birth or postnatal experience with a midwife and/or doctor. Together, you can:
- Go through your maternity notes
- Ask questions about your care
- Understand events or decisions made during labour and birth
- Talk about how you are feeling
- Get support or signposting if you need further help
It is not a complaints service or legal process—if you want to make a complaint, we can guide you to the correct place.
Who is the service for?
This service is available to:
- Anyone who received maternity care and/or gave birth within East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Anyone who gave birth in hospital, at home, in the community or in a Midwifery-Led Unit
- Partners/support people can join you if you wish
You can be referred any time from 6 weeks up to 24 months after birth. If you are pregnant again and wish to talk through a previous birth experience, you can also be seen antenatally.
When the service might not be suitable
We may guide you to another service if:
- You are experiencing a mental-health crisis and need urgent support
- There are safeguarding concerns that need a different pathway
- You wish to raise a formal complaint
- There is an active legal review
If we feel you need extra help, such as perinatal mental health support, we will always talk this through with you and help you access the right team.
How to access the service
You can be referred by:
- A midwife
- An obstetric doctor
- A health visitor
- Your GP
- Perinatal mental health services
-
Neonatal staff
Ask your healthcare professional to complete the Birth Reflections Referral Form.
Once your referral is received, our Birth Reflections Coordinator will contact you from 6 weeks after you have had your baby to arrange an appointment.
What happens next
Triage: Your referral will be reviewed by a midwife and obstetrician within 10 working days, and you will then be contacted regarding the outcome.
Appointment offers: We aim to offer an appointment date within 6–8 weeks of triage outcome.
Appointments are usually:
- Face-to-face in a private, comfortable room
- 60 minutes long
- Arranged at a time convenient for you
Telephone appointments are also available if you prefer.
What to expect at your Birth Reflections appointment
Your session is designed to be relaxed, supportive, and led at your pace.
- Welcome and consent
- Your story
- Going through your maternity notes
- Emotional support
- Time for questions
- Support and signposting
After your session: Within 2 weeks, you’ll receive a written summary of what was discussed, including next steps.
If we can’t reach you or you can’t attend
We will try to contact you three times to make arrangements for your birth reflection session.
If we cannot make contact, the referral will be closed and you will be informed by email.
If you miss your appointment, we will contact you to rearrange. Following two missed appointments the referral will be closed and you will be informed by email.
Your feedback matters
You will be invited to complete a short survey after your session to help improve the service.
Need support now?
If you experience:
- Thoughts of harming yourself
- Intense flashbacks or panic
- Difficulty caring for yourself or your baby
- Thoughts that you or your baby are unsafe
Please contact your GP, NHS 111, or Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans immediately.