Reproduction and Birth Trauma: The Need for Advocacy and Education
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Authors
Freedman, Jennifer "Malika" Rani
Issue Date
2017
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
For many women and families, the childbearing phase of life is filled with an organic sense of joy and well-being, optimistic anticipation, and constructive strategic action. The journey towards parenthood and expanding the family also includes physical, emotional, social, and relationship adjustments and stressors that may create a state of crisis. Highly stressful and traumatic experiences that are unexpected and unwanted can often occur with conception, pregnancy, and birth. The psychiatric and medical communities have well documented the toll of traumatic events on the body and mind. Mothers and their families are at risk for short-term and long-term negative consequences when traumatic experiences in reproduction and birth are unrecognized and unresponded to by the health community. This paper suggests that many women may have reproduction and birth-related post-traumatic stress. Thus, timely and effective emotional care for women who have experienced a reproductive and birth trauma is of the utmost importance for alleviating acute stress and increasing the chances for positive outcomes. Advocacy on behalf of such women in collaboration with comprehensive care may support the resiliency of women with reproductive and birth-related post-traumatic stress. Therefore, health care providers need education about the specific experiences and needs of women and impacted by reproductive and birth trauma. An original plan to educate health care professionals is suggested.