Industry & Reform
Industry & Reform
People with PTSD may ‘ relive the traumatic event ’ through flashbacks and nightmares and can avoid or respond negatively to situations that remind them of those events .
Ms Charmer emphasised that reaching the stage of PTSD is the ‘ worst-case scenario ’ and that many midwives experience individual symptoms or effects .
“ Knowing the significant impact of secondary trauma on a person , we can only presume there may also be implications when it ’ s personal birth trauma ,” she said .
“ There is acknowledgement of the impact of secondary trauma on midwives working with women who have less than an ideal birth .
“ However , when her own baby ’ s birth is traumatic , very little is known about the impact on midwives ’ general health and mental wellbeing as well as on her professional quality of life .”
Ms Charmer said the lack of research into primary trauma was ‘ surprising ’ considering over 88 per cent of the workforce is female , and many have ‘ walked their own birthing journey .’
“ It ’ s extra complicated because midwives have such unique professional knowledge about childbirth as well .”
Witnessing traumatic events can have a profound emotional impact on people and lead to the loss of self-confidence at a personal and professional level .
For midwives , experiencing traumatic births can be particularly challenging since they ’ re often emotionally connected with these events .
A study conducted in the Netherlands found that 13 per cent of midwives were traumatised after witnessing a problematic birth .
Another study reported that over 35 per cent of American midwives experienced PTSD due to traumatising childbirth in the workplace .
Most midwives faced PTSD and avoided similar events after witnessing neonatal deaths and miscarriages .
Ms Charmer said the research underlines the significant impact of traumatic births on midwives , either primary or secondary , and provides them with psychological support to cope effectively .
“ I ’ ve found that some midwives have had positive experiences with supportive managers who facilitate a gradual transition back to work ,” Ms Charmer said .
“ But there are also instances where midwives have not been as fortunate in receiving such support .
“ Overall , there are no specific initiatives or programs available to midwives in Australia , as far as I ’ m aware .”
Ms Charmer said that she decided to research the topic after experiencing the difficult births of her three children .
“ When I returned to work , I reflected on those experiences and decided to do this study ,” she said .
“ The ultimate goal is to provide much-needed support for midwives as they navigate their return to the workplace .
“ Better support could also help address the retention of midwives in the workforce .” ■
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