Psychological implications of birth review - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of the psychological implications of attending a birth review.
IRAS ID
321964
Contact name
Pauline Slade
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 24 days
Research summary
Society's understanding of childbirth is moving away from the belief that childbirth is seen as a purely ‘positive experience’ to acknowledging that traumatic births happen and that childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur. Research has suggested that feelings of shame and the absence of self-compassion that women experience in relation to negative birth experiences, highlight the importance of exploring how this may change after intervention.
Following a traumatic event, people can be offered something known as a debrief. Debriefs give space to consider and question what has happened and why. They have also been utilised across maternity services, often known as a birth review. The literature surrounding debriefing has drawn mixed conclusions. However, research has only investigated the impact on post-traumatic stress disorder when considering a debrief following childbirth. Therefore, many other psychological implications that birth review may be beneficial for are currently unexplored.
The aim of the present study is to explore possible psychological implications following a birth review. There are a variety of ways birth review may be beneficial, these include shame, self-compassion and the role of psychological flexibility, which have not been explored. Participants will be women who have had a baby and have an upcoming appointment at the ‘Birth in Mind’ service across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. Participants will be invited to participate in the questionnaire study, across two times points (before and after birth review). This will involve answering questions about their birth experience and whether they considered this to be traumatic in any way, self-compassion, shame, psychological flexibility, post-traumatic stress symptoms will also be explored.
The study is funded by the University of Liverpool, as part of a Doctoral-level project. The student researcher is enrolled on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme to become an NHS Clinical Psychologist working with psychological distress.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0009
Date of REC Opinion
9 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion