“Women Friendly”: A Childbirth Preparation Intervention in Israel for Women with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Fear of Childbirth
Risk Factors for Fear of Childbirth and Traumatic Birth: History of Abuse and Traumatic Childbirth Experiences
1.2. Mistreatment of Women during Childbirth
1.3. Vicarious Traumatization and Needs of Medical Staff
1.4. The Need for Interventions for Women with Severe Fear of Childbirth
2. The “Women Friendly” Intervention
2.1. Training for Medical Staff
- identify women with post-traumatic symptoms and their needs, including women who have experienced sexual abuse or previous birth trauma.
- engage in conversations in which women relate their past traumatic experiences.
- conduct an initial meeting at the Women Friendly Clinic with women who have had traumatic experiences.
- facilitate the preparation of a personalized birth plan (“Women Friendly” document).
- support women briefly and effectively when they are fearful and anxious during labor.
- speak sensitively to women at all stages of childbirth, e.g., while waiting for an epidural, after giving birth.
- use first aid tools and emotional support in the delivery room.
- self-regulate in emergency situations, such as the need to move from a delivery room to an operating theater, or the need to resuscitate a newborn.
- accompany women during and after complex and traumatic emotional experiences such as stillbirths.
2.2. Childbirth Preparation Intervention for Pregnant Women
2.3. Implementation
3. Suggestions for Research
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Bachner-Melman, R.; Haim-Dahan, R.; Zohar, A.H. “Women Friendly”: A Childbirth Preparation Intervention in Israel for Women with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 6851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196851
Bachner-Melman R, Haim-Dahan R, Zohar AH. “Women Friendly”: A Childbirth Preparation Intervention in Israel for Women with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(19):6851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196851
Chicago/Turabian StyleBachner-Melman, Rachel, Racheli Haim-Dahan, and Ada H. Zohar. 2023. "“Women Friendly”: A Childbirth Preparation Intervention in Israel for Women with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 19: 6851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196851