Posted: 27th June, 2024
Issue 19: Supporting Military Families and Partners
Military careers come with unique demands, including frequent relocations within the UK and overseas. These moves often lead to extended periods of separation, posing challenges for the families and partners of Serving Personnel. Maintaining continuity of care and managing mental health can be especially tough for spouses /partners during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Supporting Military Families and Partners in Sussex
The British Armed Forces boast a robust community of over 190,000 Serving Personnel, with approximately 140,000 stationed across various English regions
Inside the British Armed Forces
Servicemembers are registered with Defence Medical Services (DMS) GP practices. Meanwhile, their spouses, partners, and dependents are typically registered with NHS GP practices.
Each of the 3 services has its own welfare support and information service teams and Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS).
For more information about:
Maternity
Support for pregnancy in the armed forces
If you or your partner are trying to have a child, are pregnant or have just had a child, it is important to know what options you have and what actions to take.
If you become pregnant while serving in the armed forces, it is important to inform your medical officer as soon as possible. This means you and your baby can receive protective treatment and support.
During and after pregnancy, you are entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave. If you need paternity leave, you can claim different amounts of time but it cannot start until the baby is born and must be taken within 56 days of the birth.
If both parents are serving after the birth of your baby, it is important to inform your chain of command so that the services can try not to deploy both parents at the same time.
Booking the first maternity appointment
Did you know that your first midwife appointment (also known as your booking appointment) should happen before 10 weeks?
It’s important to see a midwife/GP or medical officer, as early as possible to get the antenatal (pregnancy) care and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.
If you have an existing health condition and are under the care of a hospital consultant, it is important that you tell your specialist and your GP as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
Helpful links-
Perinatal Mental Health
The impact of poor mental health during the perinatal period extends beyond the individual, affecting the entire family.
For pregnant military spouses and those pregnant whilst serving in the Armed Forces, unique challenges may heighten the risk of pre-and postnatal mental health issues. Additionally, Veteran spouses and Veterans themselves face increased risks due to physical or mental injuries.
IAPT services for Perinatal Mental Health
Improving Access for Psychological Therapies
IAPT services cover the whole area and offer free, confidential talking therapy for people who have symptoms of anxiety or depression. They give priority to pregnant women and new parents.
It is common for pregnant women/people and new parents to experience:
- Low mood, sadness and tearfulness
- Anxiety, worry and tension
- Irritability and anger
- Difficult or unexpected feelings towards your pregnancy or baby
- Poor sleep, even when your baby sleeps well
- Feeling unable to cope or enjoy anything
- Thoughts that you are not a good enough parent
- Worrying thoughts about your baby
- Anxiety about labour or struggling to come to terms with labour
Armed Forces Day – 29 June 2024
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June, falling this year on 29 June.
It is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets.
Charities and support groups
How the NHS can help if you're in the British armed forces or are a veteran, a reservist or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served.