New support group launched to help women suffering from depression or anxiety when having a baby

Maternity support worker and student midwife at Dorset County Hospital, Charlie Francis-Pape, is setting up the group in an aim to support women through this difficult period in their life.

Charlie suffered from postnatal and antenatal depression when having her three daughters, now aged two to seven.

Explaining why the cause is so important to her, Charlie said: "When a woman is having a baby you feel an expectation to be the perfect mum but when you fall short of that it makes you feel dreadful, alone and guilty and like you are failing.

"When I had postnatal depression I really wanted someone to talk to but not just my midwife or health visitor, a friend or another mum. I was terrified of going to mother and baby groups where I thought that everyone would judge me. I would have loved to have gone to a group with women who knew how I felt."

Charlie now works as a volunteer with mental health charities to tell her story.

"Women need to know that they aren't alone and that other women are not judging them and more importantly that it does not make them a bad mother," she added.

"It is estimated that up to 20 per cent of women suffer from some form of depression or anxiety around the time that they have a new baby."

Midwife for Perinatal Mental Health, Nicki Ellis, said that the group will help to make women "feel normal".

She said: "So many women have depression or anxiety around childbirth. The group will act to reduce stigma that surrounds depression and for women to know that, for some women, this can be a normal part of their pregnancy."

The group will be set up through the charity PANDAS, a national organisation which aims to support women who suffer from postnatal and antenatal depression.

Head of midwifery and neonatal services, Jo Hartley, said that the PANDAS Group is an important addition to the services available for women in west Dorset.

"I am so pleased that this initiative has been successful. Having a baby brings many mixed emotions and women need a safe, nurturing space to find support and friendship after they have given birth, particularly if they are struggling with being a mum." she said.

The group will be available to women who are pregnant or who have a child under one who feel that they are depressed or anxious.

It will be run at the Children's Centre on Damers Road in Dorchester.

For more information on group times and dates visit westdorsetpandas.co.uk or call the maternity unit on 01305 254267 or speak to your midwife.