Home / Health / New Program Supports Parents After Traumatic Births
New Program Supports Parents After Traumatic Births
28 Feb
Summary
- Urquhart Program aids parents with pre/postnatal mental health struggles.
- Founder noticed care gap for parents with traumatic birth experiences.
- Program aims to be affordable, eventually free for parents.
A new program in Saint John is dedicated to supporting parents facing mental health challenges related to childbirth and the perinatal period. Launched in January by Sarah Weaver, the Urquhart Program specifically targets the emotional difficulties that arise from traumatic birth experiences, a gap Weaver identified while working as a neonatal nurse.
Parents often grapple with guilt and grief following difficult births, according to Weaver. The Urquhart Program, named after a co-founder of Gentle Path Counselling Services, offers therapeutic services in Saint John, St. Stephen, and Sussex. Weaver is actively seeking funding to make the program as cost-effective as possible, aspiring to provide free sessions.
Experiences shared by parents like Cami Ramsay, whose daughter faced complications at birth, highlight the profound impact on maternal mental well-being. Nicola Sleep also expressed a need for such support after her son's premature birth. Neonatologist Dr. Alana Newman supports the program, emphasizing its role in addressing ongoing parental confidence and bonding issues post-birth. The program is inclusive, welcoming parents regardless of their birth experience.
