"I received the highest standard and quality of care"

I am writing to express my profound gratitude at the outstanding support and care I received from the Perinatal Mental Health team in Forth Valley. In particular, I cannot commend my practitioner, Denise highly enough.

Denise consistently, carefully and patiently supported me throughout my entire pregnancy, birth and subsequent difficult postnatal period.

I received the highest standard and quality of care from any mental health provider (believe me, I'm familiar with a few) or any service within the NHS I have received care from for that matter. I always felt listened to, valued and respected. No matter how small an issue or how silly a worry I might have had, I was guided (expertly I will add) to stabilizing my mood and managing my anxiety of being a new mother. My care was tailored to my needs and I never once felt alone in my mental health journey. Especially during the period while trying to navigate the challenges and difficulty of adjusting to new baby. This was invaluable to my well-being, my daughter and my partner.

As we now know, an expectant mothers mental health has the ability to impact the well-being and development of her baby in the womb as much as when the baby has been born. Without the support I received, I wouldn't want to think of what my and my family's quality of life would have been. All I can say is, without this amazing team, especially Denise, I highly doubt my daughter would be able to laugh as much as she does and my partner and I with her.

Thank you.