What Support is Available to LGBTQ+ Parents Following a Difficult Birth?
In this article, we’re examining what support is available to LGBTQ+ parents following a difficult birth.
A difficult birth – particularly one which results in injury to parent or baby – can be incredibly traumatic. There is often a lot of support offered to new parents, especially to those where there’s a baby injured at birth.
Levels of support might differ based on the severity of the birth injury, from postnatal GP appointments to mental health support – there are plenty of resources available. But can the same be said for LGBTQ+ parents?
Many new parents will look at resources that best suit them. However, many postnatal care resources are typically aimed at women which some may not relate to or feel addresses their problems specifically.
Therefore, in this article, we’re sharing details of the support available to LGBTQ+ parents following a difficult birth.
What is Meant By a ‘Difficult Birth’?
This term usually refers to an incident whereby there is a complication during the birthing process meaning that the birth is not as straightforward as usual. In many cases, pose a danger to both the mother and the baby and can result in an injury to either or both.
For the baby, a birth injury can have varying degrees of effect. In some cases, this can include life-changing injuries that could cause the baby to have a permanent disability.
A difficult birth can happen for a number of reasons, new parents may need additional postnatal care to help overcome the birth with mental health services. It’s possible for people to experience PTSD symptoms in some cases.
It’s important to remember that if a person experiences a difficult birth at the fault of the medical care received, then there may be grounds to make a claim for medical negligence.
What Support is Available to LGBTQ+ Parents Following a Difficult Birth?
After experiencing a difficult birth, it’s vital that parents seek support and, in this section, we’re looking at some of the support which is available to LGBTQ+ parents in the UK:
GP services
As a first port of call, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your GP who may be able to refer you to a specialist depending on what kind of support you require, whether that be physical or mental support.
Your GP will usually have a wide range of contacts within the LGBTQ+ sector so this is a really good place to start. Your GP will also be able to address any physical issues resulting from the birth for both parent and baby and will also be able to point you in the direction of relevant resources, including physical therapists if necessary.
IAPT services
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services is a standalone service which provides an assessment of mental health and offers referrals to specialists.
You can access IAPT services through your GP or can refer yourself (although, if you choose to refer yourself, you must still be registered with a UK GP in order to be eligible).
FFLAG
Founded in 1993, FFLAG is a full support network for the LGBTQ+ community, including parents and offers a wide range of resources including parenting support and parents groups which connect members for shared support and advice.
PANDAS Foundation
Based in Oswestry, the PANDAS Foundation offers invaluable advice and support to parents, including a specific page on birth injuries. PANDAS offers a number of different types of support including support groups, online support and email support.
LGBT Foundation
First launched in 1975, the LGBT Foundation has acquired an outstanding reputation for supporting, advising and championing members of the LGBTQ+ community. This veteran organisation is open to all and offers many different types of support, including parenting.
Switchboard
For those who simply need to talk about a problem, Switchboard operates an instant messaging listening service for LGBTQ+ people either by telephone or by email. The helpline which can be reached at 0300 330 0630 is available between 10 am and 10 pm seven days a week.
Social Media
Even in 2023, there can often be a lack of understanding when it comes to the unique challenges and needs of people in the LGBTQ+ community and this lack of understanding can be amplified in the event of a traumatic birth when it can seem like there is little compassion.
Thankfully, there is support out there as highlighted in this article. However, there are of course more casual forms of support to access including social media pages that have plenty of helpful information for new parents.
There are a number of pages on Facebook especially, some include:
Getting the right support for new parents…
The birth of a new baby should be a joyous affair for any parents, but a difficult birth can turn into a traumatic and stressful experience. It’s vital to seek to right support for you and your baby should you experience this.
In the event of a birth injury, it’s important to contact a specialist solicitor as soon as possible in order to ascertain whether or not you may have a case against the hospital or medical staff. This is to help fund any life adjustments you may need to make to accommodate the birth injury.
Going forward, contacting one or more of the support resources listed in this article can be extremely helpful as you learn to adjust to your new life as a parent.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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