“We are looking forward to our first family Christmas and finally being able to hang up the third stocking.”
Fliss has a history of anxiety, which intensified after experiencing two miscarriages within 14 months. When she became pregnant last summer, joy was overshadowed by worry. Instead of reassurance, each milestone brought uncertainty, navigating her pregnancy with caution rather than celebration. She didn’t know where to turn for help.
“When the counselling following my last miscarriage ended, I was still struggling with my mental health. The midwives were fantastic and there are some great charities who offer support, but it wasn’t quite what I needed at the time. “Beginnings” filled that perfectly.”
Fliss was referred to Beginnings, a holistic perinatal course funded by Southmead Hospital Charity, the first of its kind in the area. The course offers vital mental health support during pregnancy. It’s been a lifeline for many pregnant people.
“The Beginnings course was brilliant! The small groups meant each person was truly acknowledged. Other paid prenatal classes can be quite factual, but Beginnings was shaped around what we wanted and needed.
Despite still being quite raw with loss the course empowered me throughout my pregnancy, the birth and beyond. It’s increased my capacity to cope with the whirlwind of being a new parent without having extra demands on my mental well-being.
Steph, a midwife at Southmead Hospital and course leader, created a safe space where everyone felt heard. It’s this level of warmth and personalisation that really made it so special.”
