A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic

ObjectiveGiving birth is a significant, life-transforming event that leaves lifelong memories. Although it is commonly seen as a beautiful and empowering experience, it can nevertheless also be traumatic and cause long-term psychological problems. Birth trauma, which arises from experiences during l...

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Main Authors: Anisha Bhagawan, Daria Prets, Ursula Nagle, Jillian Doyle, Richard M. Duffy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Global Women's Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1584070/full
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author Anisha Bhagawan
Daria Prets
Ursula Nagle
Jillian Doyle
Richard M. Duffy
Richard M. Duffy
author_facet Anisha Bhagawan
Daria Prets
Ursula Nagle
Jillian Doyle
Richard M. Duffy
Richard M. Duffy
author_sort Anisha Bhagawan
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveGiving birth is a significant, life-transforming event that leaves lifelong memories. Although it is commonly seen as a beautiful and empowering experience, it can nevertheless also be traumatic and cause long-term psychological problems. Birth trauma, which arises from experiences during labour and birth, is gaining wider attention as a potential clinical issue. Our study aimed to categorize and describe qualitative data from women seeking assistance at a psychological birth trauma clinic.MethodsThe study focused on analysing qualitative data from a psychological birth trauma clinic to understand women's perspectives and experiences. Thematic analysis was used for its flexibility and reliability. Out of 121 cases, 43 were excluded, resulting in 78 women included in the study.ResultsThis study identified three main themes: personal failure, failure of others, and threat to life; along with several sub-themes. These themes and sub-themes reflected the perspectives and experiences of the women in the study regarding their birth trauma experiences.ConclusionThis study emphasises the need for proactive measures to address childbirth trauma effectively, and advocates for Trauma Informed Care which promotes woman-centred practises to improve quality of care and health service delivery.
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series Frontiers in Global Women's Health
spelling doaj-art-bef3db2707604ccebb22c800567bbfd22025-08-20T02:21:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Global Women's Health2673-50592025-06-01610.3389/fgwh.2025.15840701584070A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinicAnisha Bhagawan0Daria Prets1Ursula Nagle2Jillian Doyle3Richard M. Duffy4Richard M. Duffy5Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, IrelandGeneral Adult Psychiatry, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, IrelandSpecialist Perinatal Mental Health Service, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, IrelandSpecialist Perinatal Mental Health Service, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, IrelandSpecialist Perinatal Mental Health Service, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, IrelandUCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin, IrelandObjectiveGiving birth is a significant, life-transforming event that leaves lifelong memories. Although it is commonly seen as a beautiful and empowering experience, it can nevertheless also be traumatic and cause long-term psychological problems. Birth trauma, which arises from experiences during labour and birth, is gaining wider attention as a potential clinical issue. Our study aimed to categorize and describe qualitative data from women seeking assistance at a psychological birth trauma clinic.MethodsThe study focused on analysing qualitative data from a psychological birth trauma clinic to understand women's perspectives and experiences. Thematic analysis was used for its flexibility and reliability. Out of 121 cases, 43 were excluded, resulting in 78 women included in the study.ResultsThis study identified three main themes: personal failure, failure of others, and threat to life; along with several sub-themes. These themes and sub-themes reflected the perspectives and experiences of the women in the study regarding their birth trauma experiences.ConclusionThis study emphasises the need for proactive measures to address childbirth trauma effectively, and advocates for Trauma Informed Care which promotes woman-centred practises to improve quality of care and health service delivery.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1584070/fullbirth traumaperinatalpostnataltriggersPTSD
spellingShingle Anisha Bhagawan
Daria Prets
Ursula Nagle
Jillian Doyle
Richard M. Duffy
Richard M. Duffy
A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic
Frontiers in Global Women's Health
birth trauma
perinatal
postnatal
triggers
PTSD
title A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic
title_full A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic
title_fullStr A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic
title_short A qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from Ireland’s first psychological birth trauma clinic
title_sort qualitative description of birth trauma experiences from ireland s first psychological birth trauma clinic
topic birth trauma
perinatal
postnatal
triggers
PTSD
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1584070/full
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