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“Women Friendly”: A Childbirth Preparation Intervention in Israel for Women with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Bachner-Melman

    (Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer 4025000, Israel
    School of Social Work, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel)

  • Racheli Haim-Dahan

    (Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer 4025000, Israel)

  • Ada H. Zohar

    (Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer 4025000, Israel
    Lior Zfaty Suicide and Mental Pain Research Center, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer 4025000, Israel)

Abstract

Pregnant women with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who have experienced traumatic events such as sexual abuse and traumatic births, are particularly vulnerable to experiencing extreme fear of childbirth complications during labor and traumatic deliveries. In this commentary, we review the literature on this group of women and their specific needs during pregnancy and childbirth. We present a childbirth preparation intervention for pregnant women with PTSD symptoms, “Women Friendly”, designed in Israel and gradually becoming available in the community and Israeli hospitals. This intervention is intended for women with high levels of fear of childbirth who are unmotivated or unable to undergo traditional psychotherapy that focuses on exposure to and processing of past traumatic event(s). It is based on birth-oriented thinking, principles of positive psychology, and trauma-informed care. In addition to the five sessions offered to pregnant women, medical staff are provided with 19 training sessions on the “Women Friendly” approach. Qualitative and quantitative research should examine the effectiveness of this intervention. Should results be encouraging, this intervention could be more widely implemented in Israel and abroad and applied in broader contexts, such as gynecological check-ups and medical examinations, interventions, and surgery.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Bachner-Melman & Racheli Haim-Dahan & Ada H. Zohar, 2023. "“Women Friendly”: A Childbirth Preparation Intervention in Israel for Women with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:19:p:6851-:d:1249529
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fisher, Colleen & Hauck, Yvonne & Fenwick, Jenny, 2006. "How social context impacts on women's fears of childbirth: A Western Australian example," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 64-75, July.
    2. Meghan A Bohren & Joshua P Vogel & Erin C Hunter & Olha Lutsiv & Suprita K Makh & João Paulo Souza & Carolina Aguiar & Fernando Saraiva Coneglian & Alex Luíz Araújo Diniz & Özge Tunçalp & Dena Javadi , 2015. "The Mistreatment of Women during Childbirth in Health Facilities Globally: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-32, June.
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