"Finding me OT & nursery nurse group"

I attended the group reluctantly after it was suggested by the perinatal mental health nurse. I've been in different mental health help environments over the years and always left feeling worse than I started. T

This group is the best thing the NHS could offer to mums with perinatal struggles. From the first session I felt so comfortable and looked after, I didn't feel like a "patient", just a normal human being offered a bit of support. The way the team interacted with us was unlike healthcare environments and more as friends. We were given tools to help get into a routine, opportunities to get crafty and remember who we were pre-baby, advice on tackling anxiety and depression in a relaxed and welcoming environment, and the ability to spend one on one, quality time with our babies doing activities that we can do at home.

The most valuable part of the group was being able to socialise. For me, I had a reason to get up and get ready, it really pushed me out my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to get out with my baby, something I had huge anxieties about. As the group was only 8 sessions I don't think that was enough time to form any real bonds with the other mums or be able to properly open up with them, even though we were all in the same boat with similar struggles.

I do believe the concept is great though, and had we had more time I would've really liked to create friendships with like minded mum's. I didn't realise how good it had been for me until it ended and I could feel my mood slipping again. Fortunately I have lots of resources to try and pick myself up, and even though my mental health is still suffering I definitely have a better routine and coping mechanisms, but I do wish the group could have continued for a bit longer.

The group also helped with referrals for childcare if mum's were looking to get back into work, and gym memberships, as well as finding out local groups we could attend long term, which is invaluable to a new mum. I couldn't praise this group highly enough. To our occupational therapists and nursery nurses, thank you for bringing me back to life a wee bit!