FOUNDATION
Rebecca said many times
“All I really need is respite, Mum.”
Rebecca Kruza
Their Own Bedroom
A Home From Home
Caring Staff
Early Support
Matrons
Qualified in perinatal care, as a ‘housemother’
Carers & Students
Qualified health and social care students from local colleges, and trusted carers
Mentors
Voluntary mentors to talk to in confidence
Therapists
Offering holistic treatments, for example massage, sound and light, and baby bonding
Respite Homes were available, avoiding the development of maternal/perinatal mental illness and escalation to suicide.
Research shows there is no equivalent Mother & Baby Residential Respite Home in the UK, and maternal mental illness has recently increased 20%.
An improved reinstatement of this successful model, provisionally in our Dover area, as a safety net for struggling mothers.
Examples Around The World
A successful example of residential respite home care exists in New Zealand. This model has been recognised for reducing maternal distress, preventing mother–baby separation, and supporting long-term child development. Our respite home will run on the same model and aims.
- New ZealandVisit ↗
- Sweden
- Holland
- France
- India
- China
- Laos
St Gianna’s Home for Mothers & Babies
A residential home with experienced staff, offering a family environment, and respite care and time out for mums and their babies.
Visit Their Website ↗
Campaigning Since 201812
“I would like to acknowledge the passion, commitment and perseverance that you and your colleagues continue to demonstrate in advocating for women and families affected by perinatal mental illness. I recognise the importance of the work you are undertaking and the difference you hope to make for mothers, babies and their families. I would also encourage you to continue pursuing charitable, grant and other external funding opportunities which may be available to support the development of the respite home.”
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A Patient Centred And Balanced Approach:
For mothers, fathers/partners/carers, doctors and midwives to work together to create a level playing field during pregnancy and labour.
Promotion Of Midwifery Skills:
To allow midwives to practise improved birthing techniques that avoid unnecessary interventions, emergencies and birth trauma, and to create trust based on listening and encouragement.
Informed Consent Before The Point Of Crisis:
Informed consent to be gained before the point of crisis, with all information relevant to pregnancy and birth thoroughly discussed and agreed, not on a ‘need to know basis’.
Pre-Discharge Counselling And Baby Skills:
Routine counselling and baby skills before discharge, especially where difficult and traumatic births have occurred.
Mandatory Post Natal Visits And Monitoring:
Regular, mandatory face to face visits and monitoring with the Health Visitor and GP once a mother is discharged by her midwife. Where signs and symptoms of mental distress appear, easy access to domestic and psychological support, extended to fathers/partners and carers.
Confidentiality To Be Breached:
When a patient’s life is at risk and they are expressing suicidality, confidentiality should be breached, in order to save their life.
Events
