Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse And Midwifery Practice

Many midwives will care for women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), whether these women disclose this or not. Pregnant and birthing women commonly experience their bodies becoming 'public property', a variety of sometimes intimate medical procedures, and limited choices on where and how care is provided. For CSA survivors, who have suffered loss of ownership over their bodies as children and may experience recurring feelings of powerlessness and loss of control, these factors can combine with impersonal and medicalised settings and practices to deeply traumatic effect. 'Sexual abuse is all about power, not sex.' - interviewee Many midwives also experience powerlessness and loss of control as professionals as a result of these same settings and practices, and those midwives who are themselves CSA survivors bring a particularly acute awareness of this and of the needs of survivor mothers. This unique study sets out to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of these mothers by exploring them alongside the parallel experiences of survivor midwives. It explores the insights and reflections they together bring to midwifery, and the positive results of more collaborative, personal, communicative and ultimately empowering practices for all involved. 'The significance of this book is far wider than its immediate subject, for it offers us the opportunity to rethink our professional coping strategies. If we seek to make all our professional relationships ones of equality and opportunities for growth, as would benefit someone who has suffered abuse, then we can all grow and flourish.' - from the Foreword by Mavis Kirkham

This handbook is designed to help health care practitioners address the needs of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It provides background information about childhood sexual abuse and illustrates how childhood sexual abuse can adversely affect health care encounters with all types of health care providers. The principles and guidelines of Sensitive Practice presented in the Handbook are the product of dialogue between survivors and health care practitioners, and outline comprehensive, practical suggestions that all health care practitioners can incorporate into their clinical practice.

With statistics showing that 1 in 5 women have experienced some form of sexual abuse, it is likely that all birth professionals will support a survivor of such abuse at some point during their career. This book provides practical advice for those supporting these women throughout their pregnancy, labour, and postnatal periods. The impact of past sexual abuse on women during these periods is often underestimated, and this book shows the need for greater compassion and understanding in maternity services regarding this issue. Drawing on a vast range of research and expertise, this book includes details on the identifiable behaviours of survivors, how to respond when someone says they are a survivor, positive stories, and appropriate language to use. This book is for any care provider who wants to help pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period become a healing experience for those carrying trauma, and to support these survivors with compassion, respect and kindness.

Health Promotion in Midwifery explores the principles of health promotion within the practical context of midwifery. It clearly outlines and discusses the midwife’s role in health promotion, linking theory and practice. The third edition of this evidence-based text covers essential topics such as breastfeeding, smoking, mental health, behaviour change and sexual health promotion and includes new chapters on healthy eating in pregnancy, pelvic floor health during the childbearing years and violence against women. All the chapters are updated and some are completely rewritten to reflect recent changes and developments in midwifery practice. Text boxes make the text accessible and user-friendly, and case studies and summaries put the material in practical context. Additional readings encourage readers to further research and reflection on their own practice. This textbook is essential reading for midwives and health visitors in education and practice.

Myles Professional Studies for Midwifery Education and Practice Concepts and Challenges explores the non-clinical areas of the midwifery curriculum (e.g. law, ethics, leadership, employer-led supervision and professional development) in a helpful, user-friendly format brought to readers by a team of experts under the guidance of Jayne Marshall, editor of Myles Textbook for Midwives. The volume will be suitable for all student midwives, whether undertaking pre-registration education programmes or post-graduate studies, as well as practising midwives preparing for revalidation and/or undertaking CPD. Whilst prepared predominantly by contributors from the UK, Myles Professional Studies for Midwifery Education and Practice Concepts and Challenges will be suitable for an international readership. Specialist contributors ensure accuracy and currency of key information Underlying theory supported by a rich array of helpful learning features such as ‘real-life’ case studies and reflective activities Includes the latest initiatives such as employer-led supervision and the principles of coaching Includes a section on the ICM and EU standards of education and international regulation covering the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Denmark and Norway Explores the global context of the midwife's scope of practice with specific examples from the UK, Canada and the USA Includes discussion of CPD and overseas careers opportunities Annotated reading lists and significant websites provide additional sources of information

Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse is a detailed discussion of the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings involved in conducting group psychotherapy with women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Offering the practical “how to’s” of conducting a thirteen-session group, this unique book emphasizes the discovery of solutions, strengths, and internal/external resources and highlights the temporal nature of “being a victim” and “being a survivor” at theoretical and clinical levels. The book’s integration of theory and clinical intervention provides a thorough basis for addressing some of the key themes in the resolving of sexual abuse. In Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, you’ll uncover topics related to healing such as: the theoretical rationales for group treatment, which include the Ericksonian approach, the feminist perspective, narrative therapy, and the solution-oriented approach resiliency- and resource-based approaches the importance of language in recovery from sexual abuse how to deal with issues such as relationships, telling one’s story of abuse, building safety/boundaries, spirituality, cultivating a future, dealing with flashbacksA practical guide for students in counseling practicums, Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse provides you with a systematic method with which to conceptualize and conduct group work. Experienced counseling practitioners in psychology, social work, psychiatry, and nursing will also benefit as you gain a session-by-session account of how to conduct group work. In today’s institutional setting, private practice, and professional climate in general, there is growing interest in how to do more with less, how to maximize financial and professional resources, and how to take care of our therapist selves. This book will help you achieve these goals through leading clients to personal empowerment, self-compassion, and resourcefulness.

Midwives and other health care professionals need to have a deep understanding of the various lives childbearing women live in order to support them insightfully and practise in a nuanced manner. The Social Context of Birth has been revised, updated and enlarged to provide an essential understanding of the different lives women live and in which they birth their children. For the first time, it also contains original primary research on the perspectives of student midwives as they progress through their three year training. This comprehensive guide provides countless valuable insights into the many different lives, experiences and expectations of women in their childbearing years in the twenty-first century, especially vulnerable women. Written by a team of highly experienced health professionals, it also covers contentious areas of maternity care, such as new reproductive technologies and fetal surveillance. A true essential for all healthcare professionals who work with women giving birth, such as midwives, nurses, health visitors and obstetricians, and wish to deepen their knowledge of women’s lives.