Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of traumatic childbirth experiences: A discussion paper

Julia Leinweber; Yvonne Fontein‐Kuipers; Gill Thomson; Sigfridur Inga Karlsdottir; Christina Nilsson; Anette Ekström‐Bergström; Ibone Olza; Eleni Hadjigeorgiou; Claire Stramrood

doi:10.1111/birt.12634

journal article Open Access Apr 11, 2022

Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of traumatic childbirth experiences: A discussion paper

Julia Leinweber

Yvonne Fontein‐Kuipers Gill Thomson

Sigfridur Inga Karlsdottir Christina Nilsson Anette Ekström‐Bergström Ibone Olza

Eleni Hadjigeorgiou

Claire Stramrood

Birth Vol. 49 No. 4 pp. 687-696 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/birt.12634

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionMany women experience giving birth as traumatic. Although women's subjective experiences of trauma are considered the most important, currently there is no clear inclusive definition of a traumatic birth to help guide practice, education, and research.AimTo formulate a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of a traumatic childbirth experience.MethodsAfter a rapid literature review, a five‐step process was undertaken. First, a draft definition was created based on interdisciplinary experts’ views. The definition was then discussed and reformulated with input from over 60 multidisciplinary clinicians and researchers during a perinatal mental health and birth trauma research meeting in Europe. A revised definition was then shared with consumer groups in eight countries to confirm its face validity and adjusted based on their feedback.ResultsThe stepwise process confirmed that a woman‐centered and inclusive definition was important. The final definition was: “A traumatic childbirth experience refers to a woman's experience of interactions and/or events directly related to childbirth that caused overwhelming distressing emotions and reactions; leading to short and/ or long‐term negative impacts on a woman's health and wellbeing.”ConclusionsThis definition of a traumatic childbirth experience was developed through consultations with experts and consumer groups. The definition acknowledges that low‐quality provider interactions and obstetric violence can traumatize individuals during childbirth. The women‐centered and inclusive focus could help women to identify and validate their experiences of traumatic birth, offering benefits for practice, education, and research, as well as for policymaking and activism in the fields of perinatal mental health and respectful maternity care.

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References

Details

Published: Apr 11, 2022
Vol/Issue: 49(4)
Pages: 687-696
License: View

Authors

J

Julia Leinweber

Institut of Midwifery Charité—University Medicine Berlin Berlin Germany

Y

Yvonne Fontein‐Kuipers

School of Midwifery, Health and Social Work University College Antwerp Antwerp Belgium; Edinburgh Napier University School of Health and Social Care Edinburgh Scotland

G

Gill Thomson

Maternal and Infant Nutrition & Nurture Unit, School of Community Health & Midwifery University of Central Lancashire Preston UK

S

Sigfridur Inga Karlsdottir

School of Health Sciences University of Akureyri Akureyri Iceland

C

Christina Nilsson

Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare University in Borås Borås Sweden

A

Anette Ekström‐Bergström

Department of Health Sciences University West Trollhättan Sweden

I

Ibone Olza

European Institute of Perinatal Mental Health Madrid Spain

E

Eleni Hadjigeorgiou

Nursing Department Faculty of Health Science Cyprus University of Technology Limassol Cyprus

C

Claire Stramrood

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology OLVG Hospital Amsterdam The Netherlands

Cite This Article

Julia Leinweber, Yvonne Fontein‐Kuipers, Gill Thomson, et al. (2022). Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of traumatic childbirth experiences: A discussion paper. Birth, 49(4), 687-696. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12634

Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of traumatic childbirth experiences: A discussion paper

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