As so many of you know I have a beautiful daughter, Alice. But some of you may not know that after giving birth to her after an emergency c-section in 2010 I suffered from post natal illness that lasted for well over two years. It was a mixture of depression and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). To say that it was challenging is an understatement - the through-the-roof anxiety, the panic, the total dread, the intrusive thoughts, the dreams, the anger (nay, rage)... and not realising how poorly I had become as I was so focused on raising Alice (and I did a very good job too under the circumstances :o) ). 

I educated myself - I reached out to organisations like Birth Crisis (RIP Sheila Kitzinger) and The Birth Trauma Association who were immensely supportive. And now I want to give some thing back...

Unfortunately, there still isn't enough awareness around birth trauma and support for women going through this awful illness which is why we need organisations like The Birth Trauma Association. A happy mum raises a happy child. There needs to be greater awareness among GP's, for new mothers, and for those seeing their loved ones suffer.

How did I get better again? Well lots and lots of counselling (including specific trauma focused therapy) and medication and most important of all, writing. Writing was one of the biggest factors of my healing process. I began what was to become an Award Winning Blog (Older Mum in a Muddle). Through words I found myself and reconnected with life and it's potential again... and I began a novel. So this is why I have chosen completing my second and third drafts of my novel as a way of raising money. Novel writing takes a serious amount of commitment and dedication to see the project through to completion. Completion of the third draft and I will be in a position to approach literary agents and publishing houses. (I also need a kick up the bum!).

I am also a fully qualified psychotherapist and birth trauma is the area I am looking to specialise in when I go back to work.

So please help me if you can. (and of course I will up date you with my progress). I will complete the second draft of my novel by the end of May and the third draft by end of July.

Thank you very much.

Sarah.

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