Conectar
Many pregnant women have a history of trauma, such as abuse or violence, which can significantly impact their mental and physical health. Discussing these experiences in maternity care presents an opportunity to support women, reduce stigma and connect them with resources. However, concerns persist about stigmatisation, re-traumatisation and unwarranted safeguarding referrals.
The objective of this study was to explore how trauma discussions should be approached in maternity care, drawing on the perspectives of women with lived experience, voluntary sector representatives and healthcare providers in the UK. Findings aim to inform the development of a future intervention.
Semistructured interviews were conducted with women with trauma histories (experts by experience; n=4), representatives of voluntary sector organisations (n=7) and healthcare providers (n=12). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A qualitative content analysis approach was employed, supported by a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group (named as the ‘Research Collective’ for this study) comprising experts by experience, maternity care professionals and voluntary sector practitioners. The group contributed to both study design and data analysis.
Five descriptive categories emerged: (1) Rationale for discussions—whether and why trauma should be addressed; (2) Professionals and settings—who should lead discussions and in what environment; (3) Timing considerations—when discussions should occur; (4) Communicating about trauma—strategies to sensitively explore prior trauma; and (5) Supporting care providers—training and emotional support needs. Participants highlighted both the benefits of trauma discussions and the practical, emotional and systemic challenges involved.
Trauma discussions in maternity care are complex but essential. Findings provide practical, UK-specific insights into timing, communication and staff support considerations, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive, co-designed approaches to facilitate safe and effective trauma-informed care.
by Anastasia Topalidou, Lauren Haworth, Raeesa Jassat, Morgan Hawcroft-Hurst
Pregnancy and childbirth involve profound biomechanical transformations, adaptations, and functional demands on the maternal body. Although biomechanical complications have been identified as a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, this remains one of the most under-researched areas in perinatal health. This systematic scoping review aimed to map and synthesise existing literature on the biomechanics of pregnancy and labour. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidance, comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and MIDIRS were conducted up to May 2025. Eligible sources were peer-reviewed empirical studies assessing musculoskeletal, kinematic, kinetic, postural, or dynamic parameters in pregnant or labouring women. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened against predefined eligibility criteria. Data were charted using a structured extraction form and synthesised narratively across key biomechanical themes. Eighty-seven studies were included, all of which focused on pregnancy. No studies conducted during labour were identified. Most were observational with small sample sizes and limited diversity. Ethnicity was reported in only one study. Four key themes emerged: (1) Posture and spinal curvature, (2) Gait and locomotor analysis, (3) Functional tasks and interventions, and (4) Balance and stability. Findings showed high individual variability and no consistent biomechanical pattern across pregnancy. Real-world, neuromuscular, and labour-related biomechanics remain largely unexplored. This review underscores a critical gap in perinatal research: while biomechanical adaptations during pregnancy have been increasingly studied, labour remains entirely unexamined from a biomechanical perspective. Current evidence is fragmented, methodologically narrow, and lacks diversity, offering limited clinical relevance. We are effectively operating in a biomechanical vacuum, without empirical data to guide safer, more efficient, and personalised birth practices. Existing clinical approaches rely heavily on tradition, anecdotal experience, and untested theoretical assumptions. Addressing this evidence void, particularly in labour biomechanics and ethnic representation, is essential to improve perinatal outcomes and support equity in maternal care.
FreshRSS 