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Mental and physical health

Research shows that child removal has a devastating impact on women’s mental and physical health. Other disadvantages associated with child removal, like domestic abuse, substance use, homelessness, poverty, and traumatic childhoods, can further impact women’s health.  

Content warning: These resources include discussion of mental and physical health issues, trauma, and premature death. Please take care while reading. If you need support, please visit our page, how to get support. 

Our publications

Early maternal death following child removal (2023)

This report uses our observational data to highlight that mothers who experience child removal are 14 more likely to die prematurely. It was produced alongside academics from The University of Birmingham and The University of Edinburgh.   

Maternal mental health (2021)

This report examines how current services and processes impact the maternal mental health of women who have had, or are at risk of having, children removed from their care.      

Learning from practice: Health needs of women who work with Pause (2024)

This short overview shares our reflections and learnings on the health needs of women who work with Pause. It discusses the intersecting disadvantages they face, and the impact Pause practitioners have on improving their health.     

Our podcast episodes

Data and women’s death – an unacceptable reality

This episode talks about the premature deaths of women who have had more than one child removed from their care. We ask why they died and what can be done about it to make sure women don’t die in these circumstances in the future.

Trauma informed practice

This episode explores the impact of trauma-informed healthcare practice with sexual health professional Dr Naomi Sutton, and dentist Christina Worle.  

Other resources

For health professionals: supporting women’s health care needs post-removal

This resource outlines the barriers to accessing healthcare faced by women who have had children removed from their care. It provides practical advice for health professionals who might treat women who have experienced child removal.  

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