Trauma informed care education for midwives: An integrative review

Abstract

Background: Nearly half of new mothers describe their childbirth as traumatic. Perinatal trauma impacts both short and long-term biopsychosocial outcomes for mother and child. Midwife trauma-informed care education and practice is essential to mitigate this risk.

Objective: This review aimed to identify and describe the nature and extent of trauma informed care education provided for midwives and midwifery students.

Design: An integrative review.

Methods: Five databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Psycinfo, and Emcare) were searched to identify primary research regarding trauma informed care education for midwives and midwifery students. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results: Three papers were identified. None of the papers were midwifery focused, with midwives representing a small proportion of the participants. Most midwives reported receiving no previous trauma informed care education and lacked confidence to provide quality care to women with lived trauma. Midwives reported trauma informed care education as essential and relevant for providing quality practice. Improvements in knowledge, skills and attitudes was demonstrated following trauma informed care education. More in-depth content and content delivered in multiple ways were recommended.

Key conclusions and implications for practice: Midwives are well placed to deliver trauma informed care. Trauma informed care education for midwives is limited. Given the impact of perinatal trauma, further trauma informed care education and research is paramount.

Keywords: Education; In-service training; Midwifery; Perinatal; Trauma-informed care.