City Research Online

Abstract

There is increasing pressure to improve maternity services and provide postnatal services for women who have a difficult birth experience. However, there is little information about services currently offered. This survey aimed to establish the type and availability of postnatal services in the UK for women who have a difficult or traumatic birth. A telephone survey was carried out of a quarter of UK hospitals randomly chosen from the Department of Health listing. Seventy-one hospitals took part (76% of eligible hospitals). Results showed that 94% (CI 86% to 98%) of hospitals provide postnatal services for women who have difficult births. Most of these are debriefing services (78%: CI 67% to 86%) that were implemented in response to need; only 5% (CI 2% to 13%) were reportedly started on the basis of research evidence. Results are discussed in relation to the relative lack of awareness that such services exist and the controversy over the use of debriefing after trauma.

Publication Type:	Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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