When Amma came into my life, I had nothing. Now, they are like my family

Amma means “mother” in Urdu and Hindi but to Caroline and her fellow Amma Mamas it also means “family”.

Her story is typical of the trauma many mums supported by Amma have experienced. Caroline, not her real name, was trafficked from Nigeria to Scotland in May 2018. With no family or friends to guide her through her first pregnancy, Caroline was referred to Amma for support in January, seven months into her pregnancy.

“When Amma came into my life, I had no one. I had nothing. They helped me get clothes, nappies, everything I needed,” she said.

“At first, I didn’t understand why they wanted to give me all this. It is not something I’d get in my country, not even from my family.

“Before Amma, I was crying every day. I was going to be a new mum in a new country where I didn’t know anyone. I thank God for Amma because I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

In February, on her first hospital visit with her birth companion, Hannah, Caroline was shocked to hear she would be admitted to hospital that day. Two days later, she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

“Hannah stayed by my side, even in the theatre when they delivered my baby by C-section. I was scared but Hannah was by my side, telling me it was going to be OK.

“She came home with me after my baby was born, taught me how to breastfeed and made sure we had everything we needed.

“Hannah came to see us several times a week until Covid happened, then we spoke through phone and video calls. She taught me how to look after my baby.

“Two weeks after my son was born, I felt very scared and didn’t know what to do. I called Hannah, who said we needed to lift my mood, so she taught me how to use a sling and took us for a walk. That gave me confidence going out with my son.”

A lasting aspect of Caroline’s journey with Amma is the connection the charity has helped her forge with mothers in a similar situation. Unable to meet in person, the mothers share their experiences in a weekly video call.

“During lockdown, I was depressed. I went through a lot during that period, but it is OK now.

“Amma Mammas has helped as we can share our worries, news about our babies and advice.

“I have made friends who I talk with every day now. We understand what everyone is going through and hope to meet up when it is safe. They are like my family now.”