Clinic supporting mums-to-be shortlisted for national award
Swansea Bay’s pregnancy wellbeing clinic has been shortlisted for a Royal College of Midwives (RCM) award.
The clinic has been shortlisted for the RCM award in Outstanding Contribution to Midwifery Services: Perinatal Mental Health.
The face behind the pregnancy wellbeing clinic is perinatal mental health midwife, Ann-Marie Thomas (pictured).
She said: “It’s incredible to be shortlisted, and it’s been a great opportunity to raise the profile of the service and show what we have achieved in Swansea Bay.”
A perinatal mental health midwifes role is to bridge the gap between mental health and maternity services.
Ann-Marie graduated in 2015 from Swansea University with a first-class degree in midwifery.
She went on to work in obstetric units in Bridgend and Swansea, then became a community midwife.
Now, she is the only perinatal mental health midwife in Swansea Bay, working with the perinatal team.
Over the years, Ann-Marie has developed the role and service to what it is today.
She said: “When I started in the role, there wasn’t a safe space for pregnant women who were struggling with overwhelming emotion, low mood and anxiety when going through this big change in their lives.
“From this, we created the pregnancy wellbeing clinic.”
The clinic aims to reduce the anxiety or distress that mums-to-be may experience through pregnancy.
Pregnant women who are needing this additional support can be referred to the clinic by a midwife.
It offers six sessions, for pregnant women to talk through any worries they may have before learning about a range of coping techniques to help reduce stress and anxiety.
“There isn’t a lot of noise surrounding some of the emotional, psychological and physical changes during the perinatal stage.
“Their whole life changes and they may not be able to use their existing coping techniques while being pregnant.
“This clinic makes them feel seen and heard during their pregnancy.” Ann-Marie said.
The pregnancy wellbeing clinic is a huge part of the service as it also supports the midwives.
The clinic was initially presented as a poster to the UK and Ireland Marcé Society conference in London at the end of 2023.
“We presented a poster about the pregnancy wellbeing clinic to showcase what we do and how it has noticeably reduced pregnant women’s distress levels,” said Ann-Marie.
The poster won ‘Poster of the Day’ award at the conference in London, and therefore Ann-Marie was encouraged to submit it to the International Marcé Society, taking place in Barcelona in September 2024.
The clinic was nominated for the RCM award earlier this year and has been shortlisted for the final.
The Royal College of Midwives hold the awards night to showcase all of the work and innovation within midwifery.
She said: “This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of the clinic and perinatal mental health midwifery.
“We will also get the chance to network and speak to the other midwives from across the UK.
“We have to give an interview for the final stage before the awards night when the winner will be announced.”
The RCM awards are taking place on the 18th October 2024 in London.
Ann-Marie added: “I see the importance of the clinic for women and families and how much it helps them.”
“The future aim is to get the clinic published and accredited so everyone knows about it.”
Go here to read about the wellbeing clinic in one of our recent press releases.
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