Unit of hope for mums and babies thanks to mother who was ‘so alone and so scared’
ON MAY 22, 2004, Barbara Cunningham was admitted to Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff and detained under the Mental Health Act following the birth of her baby son.
Despite never experiencing any mental health issues previously, she had been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and was separated from her newborn aged just 11 days.
She described her time in the imposing, rundown acute facility, surrounded by severely unwell men and women, as like something out of a horror film.
“I cannot use words to describe the pain, guilt, feelings of loss and shame that tangled themselves up in my fragile head,” she said.
“I cannot ever describe the feeling when a door shuts and you are standing in a critical ICU mixed mental health ward thinking you are in some living horror film.
“I cannot start to tell you how my husband and family and friends struggled to see this happen, pretty much powerless to help.
“This day haunts me as it is possibly the worst day of my life to date. I have never felt so scared, so powerless, so not in control of my life. I have never felt so alone, so bereft, so sad.”
Before she was admitted to the hospital on the outskirts of Cardiff, she was exclusively breastfeeding her son. But that had to come to an abrupt end.
“I left my house alone, in the back of a police car, and I can remember it as clearly as if it were yesterday,” she recalled.
“I remember arriving at Whitchurch, seeing the vast rambling buildings and corridors. I remember my room, devoid of coat hangers in case I should want to harm myself. I remember the bath but having to ask for a plug first and the banging on the door later to ensure I was still alive.
“I had no intention of harming myself, but I cannot speak for the other residents. To place a new mother on a mixed acute ward is so wrong on so many levels.
“I was confused, frightened, alone, I was scared to take medication because I wanted to feed my baby, I felt I had noone to turn to and no-one I could trust.”
Thankfully, her stay in the unit was short. After four days she was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) mother and baby unit as a space had opened up.
She added: “To say I was overjoyed was an understatement, but the best part was I was reunited with my son. I stayed there for three months until I was well enough to return home.”
While Barbara made a full recovery, after the birth of her daughter in 2007 she fell ill again.
“This time we were on alert and no section was required, but again I stayed in the unit for three months,” she added.
In November 2013, the mother and baby unit at UHW in Cardiff was shut.
Since then, new mums needing serious mental health care have either been supported in the community, admitted to acute mental health wards without their babies, or have had to travel to one of the specialist mother and baby units in England.
And in 2017, Barbara said she felt ready to share her story and join others campaigning to bring such a valued facility back to Wales.
And their perseverance paid off.
Uned Gobaith (Unit of Hope) has now opened its doors at Tonna Hospital, Neath, to offer inpatient mental health care to women from 32 weeks of pregnancy until their baby is one year old.
It has six bedrooms.
Mums who are admitted have access to a shared living room and kitchen area along with a playroom, quiet room and sensory room. Accommodation is also available for family members travelling from further away to visit.
“I am proud to have been involved in meetings since 2017 with the NHS to help bring a unit back to Wales again. I have spoken at many conferences and at the Senedd on the subject,” added Barbara, now 46.
“I was delighted to see it open – so many people worked so hard to make it happen. We actually had input into the colour choices, the decoration and how it would run. They listened to what we had to say and many of our suggestions were implemented.”
Barbara, who now lives with bipolar disorder which is thought to have been caused by the postpartum psychosis, said mental illness has the potential to tear families apart.
“It does not discriminate, it does not care if you are educated, rich or poor, famous or just a face in the crowd,” said Barbara, who now volunteers with the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), giving one-to-one support either in person or by email or video call.
“It has taken me years to individual get over what happened, to be in a place where I can help others. I cannot imagine not using my experiences to do this. But it took time. It took understanding from family and friends; it was about rebuilding bridges and gaining confidence again.
“It took a long time for me to be able to share what had happened, but as awareness grows it has become easier. I would probably not be here if the Cardiff unit had not been open on the two occasions I needed it.”
Barbara, along with Ines Fontan Grana, Toni Evans and Danielle Thomas who have all suffered severe postnatal illness, set up the group Friends of Uned Gobaith.
It hopes to raise additional funds to provide the unit with baby sensory room equipment, toys, bean bags, activity equipment, books and things for the garden.
“By no means is this unit going to solve the problem for the whole of Wales and we realise that, but it’s a start,” she added.
“All funds raised will go towards purchasing items to be given to the unit. We are hoping to start donating items within the next few months.”
Uned Gobaith patient group member Toni Evans, 34, from Port Talbot, experienced serious mental health problems during and after her second pregnancy. She believes a local unit like Uned Gobaith would have made a huge difference to her treatment and recovery.
Janet Williams, associate service director of mental health and learning disabilities at Swansea Bay University Health Board, has been part of the team leading the unit’s development.
Janet said: “We will be able to help women like Toni who are experiencing serious mental health problems, and their babies, in a safe environment much closer to home. This important service will significantly enhance perinatal care services across Wales... It will be the only mother and baby unit of its kind in Wales, and its development has only been possible with support from a wide range of experts, teams and patients across the country.”
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Eluned Morgan, said: “It is fantastic news that we have our own perinatal mother and baby unit in Wales to support those struggling with their mental health. This will make a significant difference to the experience of new mothers as they will be able to get the specialist support that they and their babies need closer to home.
“We all know that the pandemic restrictions have added to the challenges during this last year and so I welcome the addition of this facility which will complement our strengthened perinatal community offer.”