Test 3 Pres
- Duration: 2940 Mins
- Credits: 5 AMS CPD
- Learning Format: Live Webinar
- Handout: Yes
- Origin: GOLD Learning
Abstract:
People may experience post traumatic stress symptoms after an experience during which they witnessed or experienced, actual or perceived threat of harm or death. For the purpose of this presentation the key word here is witness which may lead to secondary traumatic stress (STS). Midwives may witness birth events during which the woman or baby were at risk of harm or death as often as 60 times every year. Around 70% of midwives regularly witness high levels of obstetric interventions or disrespectful or indifferent interpersonal care of women. While poorly perceived interpersonal interactions between midwives and women are the strongest predictor of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the women, STS increases midwives’ risk of PTSD, as experienced by 17% to 33% of midwives. The Covid-19 pandemic has added an incredibly heavy further layer to this with the experience of Moral Injury compounding the risk to midwives’ psychological wellbeing. There is an ethical obligation for healthcare services to acknowledge and address the psychological wellbeing of midwives, if not only to support the health of a dedicated and passionate workforce, but also because midwives who are traumatized and stressed are more likely to interact poorly with women and birthing people and thus increase the risk of PTSD for these new mothers.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Explain the definition and contributing factors of post traumatic stress, in particular the impact of witnessing trauma.
Objective 2: Describe the exposure to witnessing trauma that midwives experience as part of their everyday role.
Objective 3: Analyze and assess the implications of secondary traumatic stress in midwives, for the midwives and for the women and birthing people they care for.
