Receiving Your Grade

Receiving an outcome of the Ockenden maternity review can be a significant and emotional moment. The grade you are given may not feel like it fully captures what you or your family have been through.

It’s important to recognise that there is no right or wrong way to feel at this stage. Many people experience a wide range of emotions, including:

Anger

You may feel anger if the outcome feels unfair, dismissive or minimises your experience. This can be especially strong if you feel that your voice has not been fully heard or understood.

Anger might look like:

• Feeling frustrated or irritated

• Wanting to challenge or question the decision

• Replaying parts of the process in your mind

• Feeling tense or on edge

Anger is often a response to feeling wronged or powerless. While it can feel overwhelming, it can also highlight how important this issue is to you.

Disappointment

Disappointment can arise when the outcome does not match what you hoped or expected. You may have invested significant time, energy, and emotional effort into the process, and the result may feel like a letdown.

Disappointment might look like:

• A sense of heaviness or low mood

• Feeling deflated or discouraged

• Questioning whether the process was worthwhile

• Withdrawing or finding it hard to stay motivated

This feeling often reflects the gap between what you expected and what has happened.

Anxiety

For some, receiving a grade can bring uncertainty about what happens next. You may feel anxious about what your grade means and how the outcome could affect you or your family.

Anxiety might look like:

• Racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating

• Feeling restless or unable to relax

• Worrying about future outcomes or decisions

• Physical symptoms such as a tight chest or difficulty sleeping

These feelings are often linked to uncertainty and a lack of control over what comes next.

Relief

Some people may feel relief that the process is over or that there is finally an outcome. Even if the grade is not what you expected, having an answer can reduce uncertainty.

Relief might look like:

• A sense of closure

• Feeling calmer or less preoccupied

• Being able to shift focus to other things

It is also possible to feel relief alongside other emotions, such as disappointment or sadness.

Mixture of Emotions

It is very common to experience more than one emotion at the same time, or for your feelings to change over time. For example, you might feel angry at first, then later notice sadness or fatigue.

There is no fixed timeline for how you “should” feel. Your response is shaped by your personal experience, and it is valid whatever form it takes.

Sense of Loss

For many families, the review process can become a central focus over time. It may provide a sense of purpose, structure, or a way of staying connected to what has happened.

As the review comes to an end, you may notice a different kind of loss emerging. Even if the process has been difficult, its conclusion can leave a sense of emptiness or a gap in your day-to-day life.

This might feel like:

• A loss of direction or focus

• Feeling “at a loose end” now the process is over

• A sense of uncertainty about what comes next

• More space for grief to come to the surface

• Feeling alone without the ongoing process or updates

For some, the review may have helped to hold or contain difficult emotions. When it ends, those feelings can feel more present or harder to manage.

This response is deeply understandable. It reflects not only the significance of the review, but also the importance of your experience.

At this stage, support can be especially important. Having a space to talk, reflect, and gradually adjust to this change can help you find a way forward at your own pace, while continuing to acknowledge your loss.

How We Can Support You

You do not have to process everything on your own. FPSS is here to provide a safe, supportive space for you and your family.

We can offer:

• A space to talk openly about how you’re feeling, without judgement

• Emotional support as you process the outcome at your own pace

• Validation and understanding, recognising the impact your experience has had

• Guidance and reassurance if you are unsure about next steps

• Group spaces to share how you feel with others in the review and hear their perspectives

• Ongoing support tailored to your needs and circumstances

Whether you feel upset, frustrated, relieved, or uncertain, your feelings matter. We are here to listen, to support, and to help you navigate what comes next.