Volume 31, Issue 1, January 2015, Pages 54–60
A feminist narrative study of the maternity care experiences of women who were sexually abused in childhood
Abstract
Background
One
in five women experience childhood sexual abuse and these women may
suffer trauma during childbirth. Their maternity care is often
reminiscent of their abuse.
Objective
To inform practice by exploring the impact that childhood sexual abuse has on the maternity care experiences of adult women.
Design
This
was a narrative study from a feminist perspective. The part of the
study reported here utilised in-depth interviews with women. Data were
analysed using the Voice-Centred Relational Method of analysis and
further thematic analysis.
Setting
Users of one maternity service in the South of England
Participants
Nine women were interviewed following purposive sampling.
Findings
The
main themes identified were women׳s narratives of self, women׳s
narratives of relationship, women׳s narratives of context and the
childbirth journey. The concept of silence linked all these themes and
aspects of the study relating to it are reported here.
Key conclusions and implications for practice
Every
day midwives will encounter women who were sexually abused in
childhood. Most of these women do not disclose to those caring for them
and may not respond to a direct question. They will not necessarily be
distinguishable from other women accessing maternity services but they
may find their experiences deeply traumatic. Silence is a challenge for
those providing their care. Open communication and a genuine interest in
women as individuals are required. Midwives need to listen for the
unspoken messages women are trying to convey. If all women were treated
with dignity and respect more may emerge from the experience of
childbirth feeling empowered rather than violated.
Keywords
- Childhood sexual abuse;
- Maternity care;
- Feminist research;
- Narrative
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