Expectant parents may have dreams of what their pregnancy, the delivery of their baby, and of being a parent will be like. Sometimes these hopes, dreams and expectations do not go to plan.
The function of the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) service is to provide Clinical Psychology intervention for women who have experienced one or more of the following:
- Recurrent miscarriage;
- Still birth/Neonatal death, or loss;
- Traumatic birth;
- Diagnosis of a foetal anomaly;
- A baby being cared for in the Neonatal Unit; or
- psychological difficulties, which directly impact on their ability to receive maternity care for example, tokophobia or a needle phobia.
Clinical Psychologists are specially trained to help you manage the wide range of emotions you may be experiencing at this difficult time.
Who can refer to the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) Service?
There are a variety of different health professions that can refer you to the MNPI service – for example,
- Obstetrician;
- Health Visitor;
- Midwife;
- Family Nurse;
- GP; or
- Other primary and secondary care services.
If you feel you are struggling with the trauma of having gone through one of the experiences supported within MNPI you may wish to speak to your health visitor, GP, midwife, family nurse, or health professional. They can then speak to us. If you are already known to a mental health team you may wish to discuss how you are feeling with them. We encourage that you discuss any worries or concerns that you may have with a health professional.
Why have I been referred to the MNPI service?
Here are some reasons you may have been referred to us:
- You have had an experience in your pregnancy or postnatally that is different to what you had expected or hoped for, and would value professional support with managing your emotions about this.
- You may be struggling to adjust to having had a baby born prematurely.
- Your health professional may feel you would benefit from being referred.
Not all women who have had one of these experiences will necessarily need or wish to have to have Clinical Psychology intervention. In the first instance, you may receive input from another maternity service, who will be able to provide initial support. Other services, such as Birth Reflections can then refer onto MNPI. Other women may feel they would benefit from third sector support – for example, Ayrshire Baby Loss Support, BLISS, or Tommy’s.
We can offer appointments to maternity patients as inpatients. We can also see patients in our consultation room in the Neonatal Unit, and we have a consultation room in Ayrshire Maternity Unit. We can also provide Near Me and telephone consultations.
The MNPI team are also involved in the neurodevelopmental follow up of some preterm babies. We are also involved in supporting the Family Nurse Partnership and have a role in research, teaching and training.
Confidentiality and consent
As health professionals, we are bound by law and our professional bodies to work confidentially with patients. During your appointments, any information you share will be kept confidential and will only be shared with those involved in your care.
Once you have had an appointment with the MNPI service we normally send a letter to your GP, health visitor and referrer. We may also send a letter to your midwife.
There may be times we have serious concerns for your safety or the safety of others. If this occurs we, as health professions, have a responsibility to discuss these concerns with relevant agencies.
Comments, suggestions and complaints
If you have any comments, suggestions or complaints please speak to the Clinical Psychologist you been working with. We will then deal with this information as required.
We ask if you are unable to attend any of the appointments we offer you that you let us know.