Birth Trauma Awareness Week: Supporting Better Experiences of Pregnancy, Birth and Parenthood

Over many years, The Burdett Trust for Nursing has supported a range of projects, including strengthening perinatal mental health support and ensuring voices of experience are heard in the design and delivery of services.

Promoting Respectful Maternity Care in India

A key theme running through much of this work is the importance of respectful, person-centred care. The project, delivered by White Ribbon Alliance, explores women’s stories of care during childbirth and examines how nurses and midwives can better understand and respond to experiences of respect, disrespect and abuse in maternity services in India. This work seeks to support healthcare professionals in delivering care that puts dignity, communication, and shared decision-making at its heart.

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Tackling Inequalities in Care

The Trust has also supported programmes focused on improving maternity outcomes for women who may face additional barriers to accessing care. Projects such as EnhANCe, led by Wellbeing of Women, have worked to improve antenatal care uptake in ethnically diverse and socially deprived communities, helping ensure more people receive timely support throughout pregnancy.

One study, funded by Wellbeing of Women, Royal College of Midwives, and the Burdett Trust for Nursing, involved speaking to 14 women across the UK who experienced homelessness whilst pregnant. Six keyworkers from charities supporting homeless pregnant women were also interviewed to provide complimentary insights of the challenges pregnant women face while homeless.

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Supporting Families Beyond Birth

Traumatic birth experiences can have a lasting impact. The BTFN has worked with Inner Eye Productions and the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) to explore the mental health needs of fathers and partners during the perinatal period. IHV has developed engagement programmes to raise awareness and improve support.

Watch the film

Improving Bereavement Support

The Trust has also funded projects focused on supporting families affected by stillbirth and pregnancy loss, including the development of educational resources and training to help healthcare professionals provide compassionate bereavement care. This work, delivered by Abigail’s Footsteps, aims to improve long-term support for families experiencing grief, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress following loss.

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By investing in innovative nursing and midwifery-led projects, The Burdett Trust for Nursing remains committed to working with others to improve experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenthood for families.