Join an expertly facilitated, text-based support session with a group of mums processing a difficult birth. Easy to join over WhatsApp. Safety layer added.
Developed in partnership with Birth Trauma Association.
Your birth didn’t go to plan? You're not alone.
You don't have to face this alone
After a difficult birth, many women feel isolated and struggle to process what happened. Friends and family might not understand. Professional support can feel inaccessible or months away.
Join an expertly facilitated, text-based support session, where you can:
Connect
Connect with other women who've had a similar experience over a secure group chat on WhatsApp. Choose an alias, your real identity remains private.
Share
Share your story in a safe, non-judgemental space. Led by trained and supportive facilitators with lived experience
Process
Process what happened with support from others who truly understand
Feel Validated
Your feelings and experience matter
How it works:
Our sessions are simple to join and convenient to participate in. Book your spot and join over WhatsApp when your session begins, anonymously.
1.
Buy your credit & book
Buy your session credit for £10, and then choose a date and time from our calendar after checkout. You will receive a confirmation email with further instructions.
2.
Join the group
A few minutes before your session is due to start, you'll receive an invitation to join a private WhatsApp group. Your phone number is hidden and you can use an alias.
3.
During the session
You will join a 60-minute discussion with 6-8 women and an experienced facilitator, over a private WhatsApp group. Share as much or as little as you're comfortable with, at your own pace.
4.
After the session
Once the session ends, the chat closes and no one can contact you. Your privacy is protected.
What to expect:
Your privacy and comfort are our priority
Experienced facilitation
Our sessions are led by Rachael, a trained facilitator with lived experience of birth trauma. Rachael is also the Chair of the Birth Trauma Association - a charity, working to support women and families who have experienced traumatic birth.
Completely anonymous
You'll choose an alias to use in sessions. No real names required. After you book, you will receive an email prompting you to choose an alias that will be used as your display name in sessions.
Your number stays private
We use secure technology to create the WhatsApp group. Your phone number is never visible to other participants, and once the session ends, no one can contact you through the group.
Small groups
6-8 women maximum, so everyone has space to share and be heard
Confidential space
What's shared in the group stays in the group
No pressure to share
Listen, participate, or share your story - it's entirely up to you
You're helping us improve Mendara
Mendara is in its early stages of development, which means we're continuously learning and improving. The peer support sessions are fully operational, but we'd love your feedback on how we can make the experience even better. You're getting early access at founding member pricing.
About us:
We've been running peer support sessions for women who have experienced a traumatic birth since April 2025. Mendara has since grown to a community of over 200 women. This is what some of them have said about their experience after joining one of our sessions:
"I didn't even know if what I went through counted – I just knew I felt really alone. Hearing other women's stories helped me realise my feelings were valid."
— Participant, 8 months postpartum
"This was the first time I felt truly heard. No one telling me to 'move on' or that 'at least the baby is healthy.'"
— Participant, 2 years postpartum
FAQs
Frequently asked questions:
Is this for me?
This is for you if: - You've had a difficult or traumatic birth experience - You're feeling isolated or struggling to process what happened - You want to connect with others who truly understand - You're looking for support that's accessible and immediate
Is this therapy?
No. Mendara provides peer support, not clinical therapy. Sessions are facilitated by trained facilitators with lived experience, but this is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment. Please note that we cannot provide support in an immediate crisis. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 999. By joining any of the sessions organised by Mendara, you confirm your understanding that Mendara and the Birth Trauma Association are not responsible for any events that occur outside of these sessions.
Who is the facilitator?
Our sessions are led by Rachael, a trained facilitator with lived experience of birth trauma. Rachael is also the Chair of the Birth Trauma Association - a charity, working to support women and families who have experienced traumatic birth.
Is my information kept private?
Yes. All sessions are completely anonymous - you'll use an alias, not your real name. Sessions are confidential, and what's shared in the group stays in the group. We take your privacy seriously and follow strict data protection protocols.
Will my phone number be visible to other participants?
No. We use secure technology to create private WhatsApp groups where phone numbers are hidden. You'll see other participants by their chosen alias only - never their phone number or contact details. Once the session ends and the chat closes, no one can contact you through the group. Your number remains completely private.
What if I can't make the session I booked?
Cancel at least 24 hours before your session for a full refund. If you attend and feel the session wasn't right for you, we'll also refund you - just let us know by emailing billing@mendaracare.com within 24 hours after the session. No questions asked. We'll process refunds within 3-5 business days.
What if I'm not ready to share my story?
That's completely fine. Many women attend their first session just to listen. You can participate as much or as little as you're comfortable with. There's no pressure or expectation to share.
What if my experience "isn't bad enough"?
If you're feeling isolated, struggling to process your birth experience, or just need to talk about it with others who understand - you belong here. There's no minimum threshold. Your feelings and experience are valid.
Can I attend more than once?
Absolutely. Many women find it helpful to attend multiple sessions. You can purchase another session credit any time and select your time.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions are 60 minutes.
How many people will be in my session?
Groups are kept small - typically 6-8 women - so everyone has space to share and be heard
What platform do you use?
Sessions take place in a private WhatsApp group. You'll receive an invitation to join just before your session starts. All you need is WhatsApp on your phone.
What happens after the session?
After each session ends, the group chat is closed to protect everyone's privacy. We will let you know once future sessions become available if you’d like to join again.
What if I need further support after my session?
It’s really important to note that hearing other people’s stories can be really triggering, as can talking about your own trauma - if you need any further support please don’t hesitate to reach out to the BTA peer supporters who will absolutely be there for you. You can reach them on support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk or telephone number 0203 621 6338.
What if I have another question?
You can contact us on hello@mendaracdare.com if you have any other questions, or billing@mendaracare.com for any payment-specific enquiries.
Ready to take the next step?
Sessions run daily to fit around your schedule:
9:00 - 10:00 GMT
13:00 - 14:00 GMT
20:00 - 21:00 GMT
After you pay, you'll choose a session time that works for you - or let us know your availability and we'll find a time within 48 hours.
After checkout, you'll be redirected to select your session date and time.
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Please note that we cannot provide support in an immediate crisis. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 999. By joining any of the sessions organised by Mendara, you confirm your understanding that Mendara and the Birth Trauma Association are not responsible for any events that occur outside of these sessions.
