Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Through Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Guide for Midwives, Doulas and Other Healthcare Professionals

by Kicki Hansard, Penny Simkin (Foreword), Phyllis Klaus (Foreword)

With statistics showing that 1 in 5 women have experienced some form of sexual abuse, it is likely that all birth professionals will support a survivor of such abuse at some point during their career. This book provides practical advice for those supporting these women throughout their pregnancy, labour, and postnatal periods.

The impact of past sexual abuse on women during these periods is often underestimated, and this book shows the need for greater compassion and understanding in maternity services regarding this issue. Drawing on a vast range of research and expertise, this book includes details on the identifiable behaviours of survivors, how to respond when someone says they are a survivor, positive stories, and appropriate language to use.

This book is for any care provider who wants to help pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period become a healing experience for those carrying trauma, and to support these survivors with compassion, respect and kindness.

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2020

About the author

Kicki Hansard was born in Swedish Lapland, the magical land of the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. In 2005, she took part in a television programme called 'Mum + One' about doulas and she received the Pregnancy & Birth Magazine and Doula UK award of "Doula of the Year" in 2009. "The Secrets of Birth" is Kicki's first book and she is also a chapter contributor to the book "The Roar Behind the Silence".

Reviews

[Ali]

Important for not only supporting survivors but also to prevent birth related trauma in general

[Kiah Winters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the books that I picked up in preparation for the start of my degree in September. It was an interesting read, though I thought it would be more of a research essay type vibe but there was a lot of the authors voice and opinions shining through.

The book was woven together with both research studies and survivor stories. Whilst the survivor stories added context, I often found them distracting. I went in expecting something more research-heavy with data, case studies, maybe a systematic look at outcomes but the personal narratives sometimes felt like they crowded out the evidence. It started to read more like a collection of experiences than the research-style resource I’d hoped for. It was still worth reading and these women’s stories are worth hearing. Just not exactly what I thought the book would be.

That being said, the core message is still important. The emphasis on informed consent, careful language to avoid triggers and giving women control in their care is solid and worth repeating, even if much of it feels like common sense. For me, it works better as an introductory guide to trauma-informed maternity care than as an academic text.

Didn’t cry. (Feels weird saying this)

[Kali de Repentigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read for all reproductive health care providers. Filled with ideas I find myself already incorporating into practice, before I even finished the book.