Global Birth & Perinatal Trauma Research Collaborative
Membership
Membership with the Global Birth & Perinatal Research Collaborative is free of cost.
Objectives:
Promote high-quality and high-impact research relating to the topic of birth/perinatal trauma.
Foster international connections and collaboration to achieve objectives.
Provide members and communities with resources and opportunities to disseminate research, educate, raise awareness and respond to birth/perinatal trauma.
Identify funding opportunities and partners to undertake research and implement findings.
Membership streams:
Researchers
Clinicians
Those with Lived Experiences
The Latest Word Around the World.
“Preventing PTSD after Birth”
The Summary:
When people experience traumatic births, or traumatic perinatal events, it can lead to post-trauma symptoms and potentially a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), encompassing multiple distressing symptoms. However, there is a lack of guidelines or recommendations for preventing PTSD after birth.
Reducing or preventing post-trauma symptoms and PTSD after birth/perinatal trauma is imperative. We need to look at existing research evidence to ensure we provide best practice responses to those impacted by trauma symptoms after birth. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions that aim to reduce or prevent PTSD after birth.
This is the highest type of evidence that exists, because it uses rigid to search for existing interventions in scientific literature and combine the results of multiple studies to get a more comprehensive conclusion on the effects of these interventions.
Reference: Dekel, S et al (2024). Preventing posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 230(6) 610 - 641.e14
“Continuity of care and birth/perinatal trauma”
The Summary:
Continuity of care in maternity involves a consistent relationship between a pregnant person and a dedicated healthcare provider throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This model improves maternal and infant outcomes, enhances satisfaction, and supports emotional well-being. Having care provided by known clinicians promotes trust and personalized care, aligning this care model with trauma-informed practice principles. However, only recently has research begun exploring the impact and effects of continuity of care, specifically in relation to birth/perinatal trauma.
Annabel Tafe and colleagues noted that there is while there is substantial evidence linking midwifery continuity of care to high levels of satisfaction, limited evidence has examined whether this
model is associated with reduced rates of psychological birth trauma or traumatic birth experiences1. They sought to explore women’s experiences of this model of care following previous birth trauma by interviewing eight women who self-identified with a previous experience of birth trauma.
Reference: Tafe A, Cummins A, Catling C. Exploring women's experiences in a midwifery continuity of care model following a traumatic birth. Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives 2023; 36(4): e421-e7.
“Midwives’ Practice after Exposure to Traumatic Births”
The Summary:
Janet Bingham and colleagues conducted a systematic review – meaning they rigorously searched for scientific evidence on this topic and combined the findings of relevant studies to enhance the reliability and credibility of these pooled findings. They identified 12 studies to include in this review.
Impact of exposure to traumatic births: Results showed an overarching theme of the detrimental impact of birth trauma on midwives: experiencing vicarious trauma when witnessing disrespectful treatment of women, poor care, or obstetric emergencies. One study acknowledged that midwives could have personal experiences with birth trauma that additionally influence their practice. The studies indicated that poor support or toxic workplace cultures exacerbated the challenges after traumatic birth. Midwives experienced a range of post-trauma symptoms after distressing events, and often felt fear or guilt following these births. They were fearful of possible litigation, and contemplating leaving clinical practice or the profession altogether.
Reference:
Bingham et al (2023). The impact on midwives and their practice after caring for women who have a traumatic childbirth: A systematic review. Birth 50(4): 711-734
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Community
An online community that removes the obstacles we face towards global change in the perinatal field
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Advocacy work
A safe place to share experiences and raise our voice for actionable change
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Research
Sharing the latest innovative research in the area and offering opportunities to conduct it together
Meet the Co-Founders
Helen Nightingale
C0-Founder
Helen is an Australian registered nurse, midwife and academic and current PhD Candidate. Following lived experiences with complex pregnancies, baby loss, IVF and preterm birth, Helen has undertaken additional training in perinatal and psychological trauma and has strong research interests in perinatal mental health/trauma and its impacts. Her combined lived and professional understanding of perinatal trauma provides a strong position to work with both health care consumers/survivors of perinatal trauma, and clinicians to build understanding and capacity to respond to the needs and preferences of individuals with trauma exposure.
Dr. Teela Tomassetti (PsyD)
Co-Founder
Dr. Teela is a Canadian Registered Provisional Psychologist, perinatal researcher and author specializing in birth trauma. After suffering her own through midwifery violence and an excessive hemorrhage almost taking her life in 2021, Teela decided to start the Instagram account @theteaonbirthtrauma, where she breaks the norm and supports thousands of survivors in finding their voices. Her doctoral research was on the activation of the fawn trauma response during birth trauma and its connection to provider mistreatment and is currently in the publication process. Dr. Teela recently opened the Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma Centre, an innovative practice that amplifies silenced experiences.
Global
Birth Trauma Summit
(2025)
2025- Date to Come-
Location:
All Around the World
Virtual
It all begins with an idea, someone willing to push the envelope and demand change in a new and exciting way. We hope that this summit will bring that.
It will be pre-recorded webinars, lectures and workshops. As well as live panels discussing the latest in research findings and how we can physically put what we are learning into action and create the global change the perinatal field requires and deserves. This symposium will be available for researchers, clinicians, organizations, stakeholders, policy makers, and those with lived experience who would like to share what they know on a deep level. Stay tuned and subscribe below to receive information as it becomes available.