Cruze control

The steady, compassionate support of Health Visitor Sarah Reed helped first-time mum Micia Brooks-Briant regain her confidence and find joy after a traumatic birth. Beverley Hunt went along to meet them.

Watching 25-year-old Micia Brooks-Briant play with her son Cruze, one, you’d never guess the fear and helplessness she had felt after experiencing a traumatic birth.

Blowing bubbles for Cruze on the carpet of the Gravesend Family Hub centre with her health visitor, Sarah Reed, Micia feels she is finally free of the dark cloud that wrapped around her during the early months of motherhood.

“Meeting Sarah changed everything,” she said. “She didn’t just tick boxes. She listened. She reassured me. And here I am.”

Sarah, a perinatal mental health lead for KCHFT’s Health Visiting Service swooped in after Cruze’s traumatic birth, where both mum and baby came close to losing their lives.

Micia had felt fit, healthy and well-prepared when she went into labour at 38 weeks. But, in hospital, she was rushed for an emergency caesarean section after her son’s heartbeat dropped dangerously low.

“If I didn’t have a c-section within half an hour, my son could’ve died,” she recalled. “When he was born, there was 30 seconds of silence. When he let out a cry, I’ve never felt relief like it.”

“I held him for few moments, before he was whisked away because it turned out I had a serious infection. When I looked down, my body was shaking and I had a fever. I remember just thinking ‘Is this it? Am I going to die?’”

Thankfully Micia made a full recovery, but while her body began to heal, her mind didn’t. She had nightmares and flashbacks. Micia remembered: “I just couldn’t get past the fact that I did everything right, but nothing went to plan. I kept thinking, what if he had died?”

Four weeks later, she took the brave step of referring herself to KCHFT’s perinatal mental health service after hearing about it from her health visitor. It was there she met Sarah and was signed up for a series of six emotional wellbeing support appointments.

Micia said: “Straight away I knew she understood. She was so patient and kind, she listened like a friend, but had all the professional ways of helping me to accept that my feelings were valid.”

Sarah explained: “Together we explored Micia’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours around the birth. We used practical Cognitive Behaviour Therapy strategies, including behavioural activation – a therapeutic approach focused on taking part in enjoyable activities – and problem-solving to help Micia manage her anxiety.”

Sarah also used a new technique called Video Interaction Guidance (VIG). She explained: “We record short videos and watch these together. This lets parents see the connection they have with their baby themselves. It’s not just me saying, ‘You’re doing great’, it’s showing them the evidence. That’s what makes it so powerful. It builds confidence, eases anxiety and helps parents enjoy their relationship with their baby.”

Each visit ended with a personalised ‘happiness task’ including signing up for baby massage sessions with her son at their local Family Hub.

Cruze is now happy and thriving, and Micia has returned to her role at Westminster Council’s housing department. She still has tough days, but is kinder to herself now.

Micia explained: “I wanted to be a strong, independent kind of mum but I’ve learned it’s better to ask for help when I need it.”

Now ready to ‘go it alone’ Micia has had her last appointment with Sarah. While she knows she will miss her, she feels ready.

Micia said: “I wish I could keep seeing Sarah but she said to me, ‘I think you’ve got this now’ and you know what, she’s right. I no longer doubt myself and I love every moment with my baby. Cruze is hitting all his milestones and making me proud.”

Sarah said: “The transition to parenthood can be tough, especially after a traumatic birth. My mantra is: ‘There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one’.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside parents like Micia, who show such resilience and determination. Micia embraced the support and is a wonderful parent to Cruze.

“The videos we shot showed so many ‘sparkle’ moments and Cruze’s gleaming smile is proof of this. It has been so fulfilling to see Micia’s self-assurance and confidence as a parent grow.”

Emma Tucker, Education Lead for the Health Visiting Service and a Make Birth Better Campaign Ambassador, said: "I am incredibly proud of my colleagues in the Health Visiting team. Their hard work means that families receive the support they need, ultimately improving outcomes for both parents and babies.”

What is birth trauma?

About a third of parents report their childbirth experience as traumatic, often due to unexpected complications, inadequate support, or feelings of loss of control during labour.

The impact of a traumatic birth can be profound and long-lasting.

Kent Health Visiting has been recognised at the Annual Birth Trauma Summit for their pioneering work in supporting families affected by birth trauma. They are the only health visiting service in the UK that now routinely asks parents at every visit if they found any aspect of the birth traumatic.

If you found any part of your birth experience traumatic you can speak to your health visitor, your GP or refer yourself to free NHS Talking Therapy for support https://kmtalkingtherapies.co.uk/