Mental Health Lithuania Project #50147

Save a new life by supporting pregnant woman

by Krizinio nestumo centras

Save a new life by supporting pregnant woman

Project Report | Feb 23, 2023
Your help makes this possible!

By Simona Nevieriene | Team leader

Babies born

„When I found out that I was expecting, I clearly understood that there was a high probability that I would be alone. The pregnancy was unplanned, and the child's father was far from ready for fatherhood or being someone who could take care of a pregnant woman. I was afraid. Awfully. Out of that fear, I clung tightly to the illusion that gave me hope that we would be a beautiful family after all. In the end, I decided to divorce. I immediately felt relief, I stopped crying almost every day, and the joy of motherhood appeared because I no longer had to convince myself to continue my pregnancy. Paradoxically, the father, living separately, spends more quality time with his daughter.

I am grateful to Krizinio neštumo centras for his emotional support, which enabled me to stop lying to myself and gave me courage.I would also like to encourage those who hesitate. There are countless stereotypes and stigmas when it comes to single moms, just the word "single mom" makes me shudder. But believe me, the reality is much brighter. My daughter is almost 3 months old, and I wouldn't change my routine for anything. It's not easy. My inner world has crumbled, but another, even better one has risen in its place. I feel that I have given my life and body to someone else, but for this I have gained strength, wisdom, and inner strength. I feel mature and proud of myself. Whatever decision you make, it will be right for you. Don't be afraid. Everything will definitely be fine - much better than it seems now.“

This is one of the letters we receive from women. We help women in different situations: unplanned pregnancies, other difficult situations that become evident during pregnancy (related to health issues, emotional situations among partners, loneliness and poverty, etc.), miscarriages, postpartum depressions, and painful emotions after abortions.Our help is free of charge, comprehensive and continuous.

During the period of 4 months 132 new people (125 women and 7 men) and about 50 that get continuous help applied to our Centre and asked for help (as we help them for 2 years if needed). 581 different kind of consultations were provided to them, and we got news of 24 wonderful babies born to women who got help at the Centre! Congratulations to brave moms! 338 consultations provided were psychosocial (emotional and material/financial support), 169 psychological counselling sessions, 32 doula consultations (about pregnancy, delivery, post delivery time), 6 gynaecologist examinations, and 36 other (psychiatrists, lawyers, geneticist, “buddies”). Centre delivered 14 baby layettes, 15 baby strollers, 6 baby beds, 5052 pieces of diapers, 13 packs of formula milk, more than 113 sets of clothes for babies and mothers, and lots of hygiene items (373 pcs). This is a huge help to lonely mothers that brings them relief! 8 women received regular financial help needed to cover their living or medical expenses or we directly bought food for them. Other financial help was not periodical but one-time. Nearly 6000 euros in total financial assistance was provided!

Self-help groups:

This January, we started a new group for women suffering postpartum depression. Sadly, there were a few tragic deaths related to this issue in Lithuania. Women began publicly sharing their feelings after delivery, and we decided to start a new group for them. This group became full very quickly, which showed that it was really a big issue and an area to provide help. We've already had four meetings, and six more are scheduled.
We are still continuing a group for women after delivery. This group is intended for those women who are currently not facing a very emotional time but still have many topics to discuss about motherhood. It’s for the prevention of postpartum depression. We had 15 meetings in 4 months.

We also have self-help groups for women suffering from miscarriages (six meetings so far) and a group for women facing pregnancy crises (five meetings so far).

„I was depressed, upset, frustrated, and confused. I hid my feelings and kept them deep inside. I didn't even really understand what I felt. This group helped me realize that there are far more women than I thought who have similar experiences (miscarriage). In this group, I gained the knowledge I lacked about my feelings/emotions, and it strengthened me, liberated me, and allowed me to make sense of my mourning and sadness. This group served as a classroom for me to learn about my inner, emotional core and how it reacts to my losses and pain. I really liked that the psychologist provided a wide range of resources that can help, such as music, movies, books, links to other psychologists' books, and observations.“ (from a letter of a woman who participated in self - help group after miscarriage)

To many people, Christmas is a joyful time; however, to some, this period is even harder because loneliness and poverty become even more apparent. Traditionally, we give Christmas Eve gift cards to families for whom it is a difficult time to buy food for Christmas. This time, 29 families got such help and had more joyful and relaxed holiday.

Your help makes all those activities possible to implement! This changes people‘s situations and lives. Thank you!

With warm regards,

Krizinio neštumo centras team

Women we help

Christmas of those that received gift cards

Organization's strategy revision meeting

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Oct 26, 2022
Helping others can be life changing!

By Simona Nevieriene | Project leader

Babies born

“I know from my own experience how bad it can be. You think that you are the worst mother, the worst wife, angry with yourself and blaming yourself for everything that you are not able to deal with perfectly, even for the fact that you can think like this at all. And I was thinking as you are now, and so did a lot of other women… You feel a great fear because right now you don't know when it's going to end and if it's going to end at all. I know how hard it is for you. I was in the same state, drowning in my depressed emotions and thoughts, twice. I know how bad it can be and what terrible, unrealistic scenarios the human mind can create. I want you to know that this is completely normal. The birth of a child is a huge change that turns a family's life upside down, especially for a woman, and the hormonal imbalance takes its toll.

Just know - there is help. Women, let yourself be weak at least for a while, it's not shame. With a little person I gave birth to, I was born again, much stronger and even significantly happier than I was before pregnancy. The crisis does not happen in vain, but to teach. There is help, don't be afraid, you are not alone.

You are an amazing woman, if you are reading this, you are already in the right place. You are the most wonderful mother and no matter what you feed your baby, he chose you for a reason, remember that.”

(from a letter of a woman suffering postpartum depression)

Thank you that with your support we can provide psychological help to women in their most difficult times!

We are also happy to announce that in October 14^th Centre celebrated 9^th year of our work.

During those 9 years we provided help to more than 2700 people (mostly women). We surely know that 522 children were born to mothers who got help here. Those 9 years remind us that sometimes asking for help can be life changing, as well as life changing can be helping others. This help can be expressed by so little as telling a few calming words and hugging or giving a phone number were someone can get help.

During the period of July - October 130 new people (115 women 15 men) and about 60 that get continuous help applied our Centre and asked for help. 485 consultations were provided to them and we got news of 22 babies born to women who got help at the Centre.

Most of the consultations provided were psychosocial –315, psychological – 118, doula – 12, gynaecologists - 4, 31 - other (psychiatrists, lawyers, geneticist, “buddies”). Centre delivered 17 baby layettes, 23 baby strollers, 7 baby beds, 5825 pieces of diapers, 25 packs of formula milk, more than 168 sets of clothes for babies and mothers and lots of (374pcs) hygiene items. 8 women received regular financial help needed to cover their living or medical expenses or we directly bought food to them. Other financial help was not periodical but one-time. Overall financial help was over 3000 euro.

We continue organizing a self-help group to women after delivery. During those 4 months we had 17 meetings. Women, with a guidance of postpartum doulas, were discussing different issues they were interested most at the moment: additional food to babies, sleeping regimes and habits, depressive moods, antidepressants, desperate emotions with close people, returning to work or studies, relationship with child’s father, different activities, games with babies and many other topics that were currently important to them. Several times we invited different specialist to that group – breastfeeding consultant, paediatrician and Montessori method specialist. In September we started 2 new self-help groups: 1 group to women suffering after miscarriages (already had 6 meetings) and 1 group to women facing pregnancy crisis (had 5 meetings).

In September we had annual 2 day volunteer and employee meeting. This meeting was not only for teambuilding, but our tam (25 people) participated in intensive professional seminar about anxiety in parenthood and about crisis pregnancy consulting. This annual meeting is of great importance to the climate of a joint team of employees and volunteers.

“I am one of those who have a panic fear of childbirth and pregnancy. If not your listening, talking, psychological support and group support, I don't think I would have made it at all. Pregnancy was extremely difficult for me, and so was a childbirth. Thank you very much. After pregnancy and childbirth, I feel much better, holding my whole little world in my arms. Thanks to you, I can enjoy life "

Thank you for contributing to successful stories like this! Your support was crucial in order we could provide free psychological consultations to such women.

With warm regards,

Krizinio neštumo centras team

Help to Center's client

Material help to women

Volunteer and employee meeting

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Jun 29, 2022
Thank you for taking care of the little ones!

By Simona Nevieriene | Project leader

The kindness of you hearts proves that together we can make difference!

" I remember that August morning (when I took the pregnancy test) as it would be today.... I basically knew I would see 2 stripes. We wanted a baby, I expected to conceive a son, and I was really determined to have a fifth child. But ... When It happened, I was overwhelmed with panic, tears, anger, and a great reluctance to continue pregnancy. It was terrible, I felt in great despair: how to tell relatives, what to say at work. All thoughts were to terminate the pregnancy, even though, I think, I couldn’t do so. Then I started looking for help. I had already heard of this page "neplanuotasnestumas.lt". So without much consideration I wrote a letter. I got a quick reaction and help. I couldn’t believe that someone cared about women like me. But I got all the help I needed. Constant conversations, encouragement, helped me carry my baby. I am extremely grateful to the amazing women who work there. I didn’t even imagine that such sincerity and patience was possible. I am glad to have discovered the psychologist Ramune, who is worth the most beautiful words. Thank you from all my heart.

I wish everyone not to be afraid to apply for help, even for the slightest reason. You will always get advice and help. Thank you." (Diana’s story)

We are happy to announce that we got news of 21 babies born to women who got help at the Centre.

During the period of 4 months 157 new people (147 women 10 men) applied our Centre and asked for help. 502 consultations were provided to them.

As the Centre provides help for 2 years, we also helped around 100 clients that receive continuous help, mostly material. Most of the consultations provided were psychosocial –340, psychological – 116, doula – 16, gynaecologists -12, 18 - other (psychiatrists, lawyers, “buddies”). Centre delivered 20 baby layettes, 33 baby strollers, 17 baby beds, 7782 pieces of diapers, more than 170 sets of clothes for babies and mothers and lots of hygiene items. 8 women received regular financial help needed to cover their living or medical expenses or we directly bought food to them. Other financial help was not periodical but more one-time. Overall finantial help were over 4656 euro.

During this period we organized 2 self-help groups to women suffering after miscarriages, 1 group to women facing pregnancy crisis, 1 support group after delivery and 1 group for pregnant women from Ukraine.
When the War in Ukraine started, our Centre decided to contribute to the cause of helping Ukrainian mothers. We sent a big shipment of diapers and formula milk to Ukraine. Later on war refugees came to Lithuania - mostly women with children. We welcomed pregnant women or those who have babies to apply for help. We organized a special therapy group for them. And we continue helping them with all necessities: baby beds, strollers, clothing, hygiene items for baby and mother, etc.

One of the letters from a women who participated in self – help therapy groups after miscarriage:

"It was useful that each meeting had its own topic, those topics went smoothly into each other. I felt like I was on a journey where I explored my experience from different angles. The reactions and observations of other participants acted as the treatment also. It was very wonderful to travel accompanied by professional and sensitive guides - Jurate and Lina. I found community and support in this group, I had an opportunity to be open and safe in expressing my emotions. Thank you and wish you to reach as many women as possible who are in need of such meetings.”

Thank you for contributing to successful stories like this! Without your help all this would become impossible.

With warm regards,

Krizinio neštumo centras team

Diana's baby

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