The Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service (MTLC) provides specialist support for women and birthing people who are experiencing emotional distress related to pregnancy, childbirth or baby loss.
This can include:
- A severe fear of childbirth (also known as tokophobia)
- Trauma during pregnancy, birth or the postnatal period
- Loss of a pregnancy or baby at any stage, including termination for any reason
We work in partnership with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) and the maternity teams across the six maternity hospitals in North West London.
This service has been developed with the invaluable guidance of women and birthing people with lived experience of maternity trauma and loss, and their families.
We are a small, friendly, multidisciplinary team made up of:
- Psychological practitioners
- Specialist midwives
- Administrative staff
Our team is dedicated to offering support in a gentle, empathetic and trauma informed way. We understand how difficult these experiences can be and aim to help reduce distress and support your emotional wellbeing.
The service is here for women and birthing people who:
- Are aged 18 or over, and
- Resident in one of the eight North West London boroughs:
Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith & Fulham, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea
and who are experiencing any of the below alongside other significant experiences that are affecting their current pregnancy or early parenting experience:
- A severe fear of childbirth (tokophobia), with or without previous pregnancy
- A traumatic pregnancy, birth or postnatal experience
- Trauma related to the loss of a baby during pregnancy or within the first year after birth
Eligibility criteria:
We can only accept referrals for women and birthing people who have experienced trauma or loss more than one month ago, to allow time for natural grieving and adjustment.
- If you are currently pregnant, you must also be receiving maternity care at one of the below six North West London maternity units:
- Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
- West Middlesex Hospital
- Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital
- St Mary’s Hospital
- Northwick Park Hospital
- Hillingdon Hospital
- Referrals for primary tokophobia after 32 weeks of pregnancy are not routinely accepted, but you are welcome to contact us to discuss your situation
- We do not currently provide support for parents whose baby is no longer in their care (for example, if the child has been removed as a result of social care proceedings).
We offer evidence based psychological support and specialist midwifery care tailored to your individual needs. What has helped you, and what has not, will guide the way we work with you.
Support may include:
- One-to-one talking therapies
- Group therapy sessions
- Collaborative birth planning
- Guidance on other helpful services for now or in the future
- Information about support for partners and significant others
We aim to help you feel supported, heard, and understood throughout your care.
You can be referred to MTLC by:
- You (self-referral)
- Your GP, midwife, health visitor or another health or social care professional (with your consent)
Refer yourself to the maternity trauma and loss care service
Refer someone to the service (professional's referral form)
What happens after referral?
After we receive a referral, a clinician from the MTLC team will review it. If the service is suitable for your needs, you will be offered an initial assessment appointment, either in person or online. If another service would be more appropriate, we will share information with you about relevant services and explain next steps.
Please note, that to ensure your care is coordinated with all healthcare professionals who are looking after you, a copy of all letters that MTLC send to you will be shared with your GP and any other relevant healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Interpreting and translation
If you need interpreting support, this can be arranged for appointments (in person, by phone or video). Written information can also be translated on request. Please let the team know so we can support you in the way that best meets your needs.
A printable patient leaflet is available here, if you would like more detailed information about the service.
Your feedback matters. It helps us improve and shape how we support people in the future.
You can share your experience anonymously via our online service feedback or scanning the QR code with your mobile phone:
You can also complete the Friends and Family Test (quoting Maternity Trauma & Loss Care or MTLC as the name of the service) or scan the QR code with your mobile phone:
If you are unhappy about any part of your care, please speak with your MTLC clinician.
You can also raise a concern or complaint through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 064 3330 or by emailing pals@westlondon.nhs.uk