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Trauma and fear in Australian midwives
J Toohill1, J Fenwick2, M Sidebotham3
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Australia.
Summary
High fear of birth among midwives is linked to practice concerns, impacting their confidence in supporting women. Further research is needed to understand the effects of fear and trauma on midwifery practice.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Midwifery
- Psychological Trauma
- Healthcare Professional Well-being
Background:
- Limited understanding of birth-related trauma and fear among midwives.
- Potential impact of these experiences on clinical practice and confidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of birth-related trauma and fear in midwives.
- To assess associations between trauma/fear and midwives' confidence in advising women and providing labor care.
- To describe midwives' personal and professional experiences of birth-related trauma and fear.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods design utilizing anonymous online surveys.
- Quantitative analysis of data from 249 midwives.
- Latent content analysis of qualitative data from 170 midwives describing traumatic experiences.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of traumatic birth experiences (93.6%) was reported by midwives, encompassing both personal (41.6%) and professional (85.4%) incidents.
- Eight percent of midwives reported high fear of birth, which was significantly associated with increased practice concerns compared to those with low fear.
- Personal trauma stemmed from assault, interventions, and stillbirth; professional trauma involved witnessing or experiencing disrespectful care, feeling complicit, unsupported, and fearing litigation.
Conclusions:
- Elevated fear of birth among midwives correlates with diminished confidence in supporting childbearing women.
- The prevalence of fear and trauma in midwives necessitates further investigation to fully comprehend their impact on professional practice and patient care.
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