Trauma Informed Care
It is important to understand that feeling coerced or pressured to make a particular decision by care providers may lead to PTSD. It is also important to understand that you will probably, at some point, care for a client who has experienced trauma from other sources, and it is important for you to understand how you can best care for them.
Trauma-informed care is a method of care that acknowledges past and current trauma of individuals and its lasting impact on their daily lives and interactions. Trauma-Informed care helps improve patient and client outcomes.
Key Points:
- Safety – Providers work to ensure their patients feel safe, both physically and psychologically.
- Trustworthiness & Transparency – Trust is built through open, transparent communication between providers and patients.
- Peer Support – When possible, integrating providers and staff with experience with trauma may allow patients to connect and respond better to them.
- Collaboration – Working together to make decisions and find support, rather than talking AT patients.
- Empowerment – Validate the patient, and encourage them to actively participate in their care
Trauma-Informed actions:
- Interact at eye-level when possible
- Ask for permission before touching client
- Offer options whenever possible
- Invite questions
- Explain actions in advance; allow client time to prepare
Care for Abuse survivors:
- Understand that speaking of the past may be difficult
- Respect their level of comfort when discussing physical aspects of pregnancy and birth
- Help them research professional help options, if desired
- Hold space for them to process the emotions that pregnancy and birth preparation may bring up
Care for Birth Trauma survivors
- Understand that pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum subjects may bring up triggers
- Hold space for client to process thoughts and emotions
- Help client come up with a plan for handling specific situations that were traumatic in the past
- Help client research alternative options to procedures, providers, and facilities when possible
Evidence and guidelines for trauma-informed doula care
Trauma Informed Birth Support (PDF)
Trauma-Informed Care Resources Guide
Spouses, Partners, and other close family members or friends
- Other family members or close friends, including the spouse or partner, may have a history of trauma that influences their feelings around pregnancy or birth
- Pay attention to how they react or respond in conversations, taking note of any discomfort
- Understand there may be difficulties in supporting their pregnant loved one if they themselves have unresolved trauma
- Respect their comfort level and needs as much as possible
- Encourage your client to communicate with their loved one(s) who are struggling
- Utilize communication and conflict resolution skills (DA 1: Communication) with your client, and any loved ones who may be struggling
