Psychological implications of attending a birth review: A pre-post observational study of birth experience and post-traumatic stress symptoms

Jones, Lucy, Williamson, Emma, Twiddy, Hannah, Krahe, Charlotte, Brodrick, Alison and Slade, Pauline (2025) Psychological implications of attending a birth review: A pre-post observational study of birth experience and post-traumatic stress symptoms WOMEN AND BIRTH, 38 (6). 102110-. ISSN 1871-5192, 1878-1799

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Abstract

Background: Birth reviews provide a space to talk about birth experiences. Women report finding them helpful, but their specific psychological impact has not been explored. This study investigated whether childbirth experience, perception of birth as traumatic, post-traumatic stress symptoms, shame, and self-compassion changed following a birth review. Psychological flexibility was also examined as a potential predictor of any changes. Method: Women in the postnatal period (N = 211), who had been referred or self-referred for a birth review, were invited to participate in a pre-post observational study. Birth reviews were completed by midwives from the maternal mental health service trained in the five-step model for listening to women after childbirth. Birth reviews form part of an integrated childbirth trauma service with potential for psychological referral. Eighty-five participants completed baseline measures examining childbirth experience, post-traumatic stress symptoms, shame, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility before their birth review. Two to six weeks after their birth review, 70 participants repeated the same measures. Pre-post comparisons from 70 women were analysed, as well as conducting intention-to-treat analyses. Results: Perception of the birth as traumatic significantly reduced, and perception of childbirth experience, levels of shame, and post-traumatic stress symptoms all significantly improved following birth review. There was no significant change in total self-compassion. Psychological flexibility did not predict post-review scores when controlling for baseline levels. Conclusions: Midwifery birth reviews using the presented model may improve perceptions of childbirth and reduce traumatic birth perception, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and trauma-related shame. A randomised controlled trial is now required.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Birth experience, Childbirth review, Maternity, Midwives, Post-traumatic stress
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	24 Sep 2025 08:30
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 19:59
DOI:	10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102110
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194573
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