Article
Traumatic stress in midwives – Prevalence and risk factors
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Published: | February 5, 2016 |
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Outline
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Background: Midwives are frequently exposed to traumatic birth events [1][2]. Evidence points to an increased risk for posttraumatic stress following professional exposure to birth trauma [1][2]. Posttraumatic stress may affect professional functioning in midwives and thus reduce the quality of midwifery care.
Aims/research questions: What is the prevalence of posttraumatic stress in midwives registered in Australia? What are risk factors for posttraumatic stress in midwives registered in Australia?
Methods: A national internet survey of Australian midwives was conducted.
Results: 17% of midwives screened positive for probable PTSD. Multivariate analysis identified three main variables associated with probable PTSD: (1) feelings of horror during the event, (2) feelings of guilt during the event and (3) a personal traumatic experience when giving birth.
Relevance: Many Australian midwives report symptoms of posttraumatic stress. The sample was large but represents a relatively small proportion of the Australian midwifery workforce. This limits the generalisability of the results, which should therefore be interpreted with caution.
Recommendations/conclusions: Posttraumatic stress in midwives should be acknowledged as occupational stress by maternity care management. Trauma informed care and practice (TICP) [3] which acknowledges and responds to the impact of trauma among women and their care providers is recommended.
Ethical considerations: Approval to conduct the study was given by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref No: NRS/50/13/HREC).
References
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- Beck C, LoGiudice J, Gable RK. A mixed-methods study of secondary traumatic stress in certified nurse-midwives: shaken belief in the birth process. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2015 Jan-Feb;60(1):16-23. DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12221
- 2.
- Sheen K, Spiby H, Slade P. Exposure to traumatic perinatal experiences and posttraumatic stress symptoms in midwives: Prevalence and association with burnout. Int j of nurs stud. 2015;52(2):578-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.11.006
- 3.
- Poole N, Greaves L. Becoming trauma informed. Toronto, Kanada: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; 2012.