In the news: “Glasgow mum…finds help in Govan charity”

This piece was originally published by Glasgow Live on 16/10/23. Govan HELP would like to sincerely thank Tracey for sharing her story, which we hope will inspire others to come forward, talk about their experiences and seek support.

Glasgow mum unable to bond with daughter after traumatic birth finds help in Govan charity

Tracey O'Brien is enjoying a new bond with her daughter Miranda with help from a Govan charity. The mum says she is 'constantly taking pictures to capture her smiles'.

By Holly Lennon, journalist.

A Glasgow mum has said she was unable to bond with her daughter for several years after a traumatic birth.

Tracey O'Brien gave birth to little Miranda by emergency C-section and wasn't able to hold her immediately. She then suffered from post-natal depression and struggled to feel any sort of bond with her newborn.

Eight years on, Tracey has now been able to build the relationship she had always wanted after finding Glasgow charity Govan HELP by chance.

She explained:

"Two years ago, I was walking past Govan HELP and decided to wander in and have a look. One of the coordinators, Annie, started chatting to me. She told me about the parent support group and adult counselling sessions which were available to me through the charity.

“I had never had counselling before and when I went in for the first time, I was expecting the counsellor to do all the talking but it wasn’t like that. I spoke so much, I couldn’t believe the things I was telling her, it felt as if a whole house had just been lifted off my shoulders.

“We talked about the problems in my relationship with my daughter Miranda. Miranda was born by emergency C-section and I wasn’t able to hold her immediately after the birth. Following her birth, I had suffered from post-natal depression. I told the counsellor how I felt as if I had never had a real bond with my daughter. I had never told that to anyone before but instead of judging me, she made me feel normal.

“Since getting help our mother-daughter bond has got so much stronger and Miranda’s confidence has blossomed. Now we talk and laugh together all the time. To see the enjoyment in her is priceless, I can’t explain how much it means to me. I’m constantly taking pictures to capture her smiles."

Tracey and Miranda have been attending the charity's family support group allowing them to go on day trips and try new hobbies together.

She added:

"Through the family support group, we get to go on trips with other families to places that are normally too expensive like the science museum. Miranda especially loved the yoga session we did, and she was so good at it.

"I can’t describe what it felt like to see her feeling proud of herself and having so much fun. I can’t get out to places as much as I’d like because of my health problems so when I get the chance to take her out on one of the family support days her face just lights up and it melts my heart.

“Not only has the group boosted Miranda’s confidence but it has helped mine as a parent. I’ve even had the confidence to have some of Miranda's friends around my house and take them on trips out which I would never have done before. I’ve had to prepare the day three weeks in advance just to make sure I get all the details right, but I still do it.

“The biggest gift the group has given me is the connection with my daughter. Before we were so distant but now Miranda comes to me and she tells me little things that happened at school, and things she’s excited about. It’s wonderful.”

This month Govan HELP was awarded £133,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to continue delivering their family support services, offering parenting and personal development support to parents of children up to 12 years old.

Commenting on the funding Chief Officer of Govan HELP Viv Sawers said:

“We are delighted to have secured a continuation of our funding from National Lottery Community Fund to continue our Family Support service which supports families from the Govan area of the city. This funding will ensure we are able to reach more families in Govan, helping them to overcome challenges and improve their overall quality of life.”

Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund added:

“I am delighted to see National Lottery funding going to projects where connections and community action are central to happier healthier lives.

“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we can continue funding these activities which provide such life changing support to thousands of people like Tracey and Miranda.”