“Not having access to psychological support...had a significant impact on my wellbeing”– Chloe’s story

We were induced because of oligohydramnios and Theo being small for gestational age. Had we been told there was a possibility that Theo might be unwell at birth and require neonatal care, it would have given us the opportunity to prepare ourselves emotionally and begin to process what that could mean before he arrived. Instead, his admission came as a complete shock as soon as he was born.

Theo was born in February 2025 in Merthyr Tydfil, at 37+5 weeks gestation. Shortly after his birth, he was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He was born with an infection that required a week of intravenous antibiotics. He also developed jaundice and required phototherapy, and he struggled to regulate both his body temperature and his blood sugar levels.

Theo spent four days in NICU, followed by a further two days on the postnatal ward with me, where he continued to receive his treatment. Although we were physically together for those final days, it was not the experience we had imagined for our first days as a family.

Not having access to psychological support while my baby was unwell had a significant impact on my wellbeing. As this was my first baby, I was already navigating the emotions and uncertainties of becoming a parent. 

Instead, I was faced with fear, uncertainty, and the trauma of seeing my baby admitted. I felt anxious, overwhelmed, and isolated during what should have been one of the happiest times of my life. 

The nurses and student nurses were incredibly kind and did everything they could to support us, checking in regularly and taking the time to talk to us whenever they could. I will always be grateful for their compassion. However, they were not a substitute for dedicated psychological support from a trained professional.  

Having access to someone with the expertise to help us process our emotions and cope with the trauma of the experience would have made a significant difference. 

Without that professional psychological support, the emotional impact stayed with me long after Theo was discharged. I struggled to fully process both his birth and the trauma of seeing him on the neonatal unit, and this had a lasting impact on our family. 

Although I have since had two birth debriefs, I still cannot talk about Theo's birth without becoming emotional and upset. That, to me, demonstrates just how deeply the experience affected me and how much I continue to carry it with me. 

Instead of being able to enjoy the pregnancy with confidence and excitement, much of the experience was overshadowed by the worry that we would once again face the same complications and another hospital admission. 

Psychological support would not have changed what happened to Theo, but it could have changed how we were able to cope with the experience and its lasting effects. 

Theo is now thriving. He’s the happiest little boy and is loving his new role as proud big brother to his 6-week-old sister.  

A Neonatal Expenses Fund would have helped our family with the cost of travelling to the hospital every day while Theo was in NICU. My partner made the journey there and back daily, with a round trip of around 1 hour and 20 minutes, so the fuel costs quickly added up over the course of Theo's stay. 

Every parent with a baby in neonatal care should have access to dedicated psychological support during and after their baby's admission. Early support could help families process what they've experienced, reduce the long-term impact of birth trauma, and give them the confidence to move forward.  

Looking after parents' mental health is not an optional extra, it is an essential part of neonatal care. 

Thank you so much to Chloe for sharing her story.  

Read our Neonatal Services for the Future in Wales manifesto.