What is postpartum psychosis and why is specialist care needed?

Postpartum psychosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause hallucinations, severe insomnia, and paranoia in new mothers, requiring specialist care from mother and baby units (MBUs).

What issues exist with access to Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) in the UK?

Access to MBUs is a significant problem, with women often forced to travel long distances, sometimes to London or Birmingham, due to a shortage of beds, leading to a 'postcode lottery' for care.

What is being done to address the shortage of mother and baby units?

The Department of Health and Social Care is investing an additional £688 million to expand mental health services, and the Leeds MBU is increasing its capacity from eight to 14 beds.

Home / Health / Mother's 90-Mile Trauma: Postpartum Psychosis Care Crisis

Mother's 90-Mile Trauma: Postpartum Psychosis Care Crisis

9 Mar

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Summary

A new mother endured a 90-mile journey for emergency mental health treatment.
Postpartum psychosis led to a woman being sectioned and moved far from home.
Campaigns highlight urgent need for more specialist mother and baby units.

Mother's 90-Mile Trauma: Postpartum Psychosis Care Crisis

A new mother is advocating for improved access to specialist care units after a critical mental health crisis necessitated a 90-mile travel for emergency treatment. Lizzy Berryman, 30, experienced postpartum psychosis just four days after giving birth in 2024. Her condition led to her being sectioned and transported from York to Derby, a significant distance from her home.

Reports indicate that some women in Yorkshire have been sent as far as London for care at mother and baby units (MBUs) due to availability issues. Lizzy described her distress, stating, "I was soaked in my own urine because I'd been pushing as if I was giving birth again every time I was in psychosis." Her eight weeks of intensive treatment in Derby were costly for her family, impacting her husband's paternity leave and his ability to visit.