An opportunity to tell your story about childbirth
The Thackray Birth Stories project has been working with parents to tell a range of stories about childbirth. Our aim is to draw together a diverse range of birth experiences - whether it's about your own birth, when you had a baby, or when you witnessed the birth of your own child, or were there to support a friend or relative. We're collecting together experiences of parents who have experienced a whole range of births, from home births to C-sections, the happy stories and the ones that might be more difficult to tell. We're hoping a whole range of people will contribute - whatever background and country you come from.
To add your story, after you've created a Yarn account, incorporate this passage in your first paragraph of your own story. To do this, select the 'quote this passage' button on the right hand side. You might want to tell a bit about what happened, where the birth took place and who was there. But it's entirely up to you - share as much or as little as you like!
By quoting this passage, we'll be able to find and read your story.
Your story may be included in a display in the Thackray Medical Museum via a touchscreen display of this website, as part of their 'Having a Baby' gallery. So only share information that you're happy to be made public on a website and in the museum. You can withdraw your story at any point by deleting it via your account, or removing your account altogether.
If you have any questions about the project or taking part, please email the project leaders - Laura King, historian, University of Leeds (l.king@leeds.ac.uk) and Lauren Ryall Stockton, curator, Thackray Medical Museum (lauren@thackray.org.uk).
You might also be interested in checking out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thackraybirthstories/
The first challenge is telling a story that you don't remember. But I've heard lots of details about what happened when I was born, from my parents and other relatives. My parents were living in Amblecote, Stourbridge in the Black Country. I was their first child, and my mum dutifully recorded all the fetal movements leading up to the birth - though found this more unsettling than comforting, apparently...
You can see some examples of stories by clicking on the 'Quoted ...' button to the right of the first passage - you'll see all the stories which have quoted the above passage and therefore contributed to the project.
Our first one is by project leader Laura King, above, and you can read about some of the work we've been doing exploring experiences of childbirth in Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt and the UK below...
In Afghanistan it is common practice to swaddle babies for the first six months of life. A narrow cloth binding is also commonly used to support the head and neck of young babies. Swaddling is also practiced in the UK by some parents, but to a lesser degree.
Mothers discuss their experience of post-natal mental health problems and support which they received in this video on the Mind website.
We're interested to hear about all kinds of childbirth experience, both positive and negative. If you have had a challenging or traumatic birth experience the following support services are available:
SANDS: Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity
Helpline - 020 7436 5881
The Helpline is for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby and wants to talk to someone about their experience. The Helpline team are there to listen and give support, and can advise you about finding local help, whether from a Sands group or other counselling services, or information about other relevant support organisations.
Website: https://www.uk-sands.org
Birth Trauma Association: Helping People Traumatised by Childbirth
Support for those dealing with traumatic birth available by joining their Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBTA/
Website: http://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Bliss: For Babies Born Premature or Sick
If you've just had a premature or sick baby Bliss is here to help.
Helpline: 0808 801 0322
Website: https://www.bliss.org.uk
National Childbirth Trust
For practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood including help with feeding.
Helpline: 0117 992 7697 / 0300 330 0700
Website: https://www.nct.org.uk
Leeds NHS Maternity Services
Information about support and services available to pregnant women and new mums in Leeds.
Website: http://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/a-z-of-services/leeds-maternity-care/
Association for Post-Natal Illness
The Association for Post-Natal Illness provides support to mothers suffering from post-natal illness (Baby Blues and Post-natal Depression).
Helpline: 0207 386 0868 (open 10am-2pm, Monday to Friday)
Website: https://apni.org/