Abstract
Problem
Over one third of women report their birth experience as psychologically traumatic.
Psychological birth trauma has been associated with perinatal mental illness and post-traumatic
stress disorder.
Background
Midwifery continuity of care provides improved outcomes for mothers and babies as
well as increased birth satisfaction. Some women who have experienced psychological
birth trauma will seek out midwifery continuity of care in their next pregnancy. The
aim of this study was to explore women’s experiences of midwifery continuity of care
following a previous traumatic birth experience in Australia.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken. Eight multiparous women who self-identified
as having psychological birth trauma were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic
analysis to discover how participants subsequently experienced care in a midwifery
continuity of care model.
Findings
Seven out of eight participants had care from a private midwife following birth trauma.
Four themes were discovered. The nightmare lives on: despite a positive and/or healing experience in midwifery continuity of care, women
still carry their traumatic birth experiences with them. Determination to find better care: Women sought midwifery continuity of care following a previous traumatic birth in
their desire to prevent a similar experience. A broken maternity system: women described difficulties accessing these models including financial barriers
and lack of availability. The power of continuity: All reported a positive experience birthing in a midwifery continuity of care model
and some reported that this had a healing effect.
Conclusion
Offering midwifery continuity of care models to women with a history of psychological
birth trauma can be beneficial. More research is necessary to confirm the findings
of this small study, and on ways women who have psychological birth trauma can be
prioritised for midwifery continuity of care models in Australia.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 10, 2023
Accepted:
January 24,
2023
Received in revised form:
January 24,
2023
Received:
August 20,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Midwives. All rights reserved.
