Alison

Alison loves being a mom, but bringing life into the world came with some complications.

Alison lives with a variety of mental health diagnoses, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, which she anticipated would bring on additional challenges during pregnancy and child birth.

Alison’s daughter Kinsley was born pre-mature at Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in July 2020 and she spent a week in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Alison’s second pregnancy was much more complicated. Months before her due date, Alison had hydronephrosis, a build-up of urine in the kidneys, and was admitted to JPCH’s maternal unit. She was in immense pain and her mental health was declining during her nearly three month stay, but Alison says the JPCH staff were a huge help.

“The nurses and doctors were super understanding of my whole situation. Not only are you being cared for, but you’re being heard and they do what they can to make you feel as comfortable as possible,” Alison said.

Alison was induced in August 2022 and her son Boomer was born a month early. He was extremely sick and small, receiving specialized care in JPCH’s NICU for nearly a month before being able to go home. Today, both Boomer and Kinsley are healthy and thriving.

Alison has had to find resources, support and medication that works for her mental health, which continues to be an ongoing process. She wants people facing mental health struggles to know they aren’t alone and there are resources available to help.

If you or someone you know is going through a crisis or thinking about suicide, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1.833.456.4566 or Kids Help Phone at 1.800.668.6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.  If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital.