PhD - Traumatic birth experiences in diverse populations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Qualitative Study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore Maternal Traumatic Birth Experiences in Diverse Populations
IRAS ID
239179
Contact name
Eleanor Molloy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 29 days
Research summary
Some women experience the birth of their child as traumatic – physically and/or emotionally. Experiencing a traumatic birth may sometimes make previous mental illness worse, or can potentially lead a mother developing a new illness such as anxiety or traumatic stress disorders (TSD). It is crucial that women and families can access specialised perinatal mental health support in these situations, to help reduce any subsequent impact on relationships, mental health and parenting.
Specialist perinatal mental health services are in short supply in the UK; with a high threshold for referral. They also assume that parents in need can navigate the healthcare system to access this support. Previous work has indicated that for white, heterosexual British women, access to care was limited by having lost trust in Healthcare Professionals; feeling unable to easily explain their struggles; and not having access to support which took their parenting responsibilities into account. Research into accessing support for birth trauma, is a relatively under-researched area. This study aims to explore traumatic birth experiences specifically to include the views of women whose experiences may not have previously been included. Minority populations often have life experiences which increase their risk of experiencing trauma during birth, and they may also experience other barriers to accessing support. The study will use a combination of surveys (paper and online) and face-to-face interviews to gather data on women's experiences of care during and after labour and birth and to explore participants' opinions on what would be helpful in creating accessible perinatal mental health support services.
Parents will be offered the opportunity to take part in this study via social media (online survey), and local advertising (posters and flyers) in postnatal clinics and through local maternity and parent support services. The surveys and interviews will take place over a 12-month period.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1787
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion