Research indicates that the perinatal period is a time of increased vulnerability to mental health

challenges, which can adversely affect maternal well-being and the early mother–infant

relationship. The NHS Long Term Plan outlines commitments to improve perinatal healthcare

and maternal outcomes which are reflected in the expansion of targeted mental health services

designed to support new mothers during this critical period. The first paper in this portfolio

assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the Video Feedback Intervention to Promote

Positive Parenting (VIPP) for mothers accessing NHS perinatal services who reported a

traumatic birth experience. Findings suggest that VIPP is both feasible and acceptable within

NHS services, with eight mothers and babies expressing interest and seven participating in the

intervention over six months. Improvements in parent-infant bonding, parental self-efficacy,

and trauma-related distress were observed. However, the small sample size limits the

generalisability of these results, highlighting the need for further research on a larger scale with

a more diverse population across national NHS perinatal services. The second paper builds on

the first by utilising qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the

deeply personal nature of birth trauma, where each mother’s experience reflects that trauma is

"in the eye of the beholder." This study revealed the unique experiences of each participant,

providing valuable insights into how VIPP supported their healing from birth trauma. This

highlights the importance of a nuanced understanding of birth trauma and the potential for

tailored interventions to address the diverse needs of mothers. The findings revealed how the

mothers regained control over their parental identity, which had been undermined by their

traumatic birth experiences. VIPP addressed their unmet needs by helping them reconnect with

their infants, restore emotional bonds, and gain confidence in parenting. Additionally, the

intervention promoted emotional healing, self-awareness, and personal growth.