Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the interrelationship between emotional intimacy, feeling and affective relationships between peer facilitators and perinatal women as part of a larger feasibility study carried out in a Northwest coast city in the UK.

Paper long abstract:

Postnatal women have shown they prioritise availability of non-stigmatising psycho-social support. Access to support can facilitate the transition to parenthood across all levels of wellbeing (Brugha, Morrell, Slade and Walters 2011). As part of a larger feasibility study carried out in a Northwest coast city in the UK, we developed a brief 3-pronged intervention consisting of a 20 minute contact early in pregnancy and 6-12 weeks postnatally to support women to identify their own support needs and how to access them. The intervention consisted of 1) A face-to-face meeting with a non-professional peer facilitator in a supportive way; 2) access to detailed and accurate information about existing local services via an electronic interactive community map developed for the study; and 3) use of If-Then planning (a simple way to help people make a plan to translate their intentions into action). The intervention was delivered alongside statutory maternity care provisions. This paper will discuss findings from qualitative interviews with 26 women that suggest the skills developed and personal qualities of the peer facilitators enabled the development of affective relationships with the women. The study confirms learnings from previous research recognizing that perinatal women wish for "continuity of carer" provider and of emotional intimacy, i.e. being known, valued and respected.