Healing trauma with interprofessional collaboration and trauma-informed perinatal care: A qualitative case study

A concept analysis of psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses

AIM

To facilitate an understanding of the risk for psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses.

DESIGN

Concept analysis.

METHODS

The Walker and Avant method of concept analysis was applied to 56 articles. The characteristics, antecedents, and consequences of psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses were identified.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed articles in English from CINAHL, PubMed and Google Scholar were reviewed on July 2023.

RESULTS

The characteristics of psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses are overwhelming distress, intrusive symptoms, avoidance and numbing behaviours, hypervigilance or hyperarousal, emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, and interpersonal challenges. The antecedents are exposure to one or more of the following nurse-specific traumas: natural or person-made disasters, historical role limitations, second victim situations, secondary trauma, system-mediated or over-medicalized care, insufficient resources, or workplace incivility. The consequences are disruptions in mental health, diminished physical health, alterations in relationships, and variable work performance.

CONCLUSION

Labour and delivery nurses experience unique causes of psychological trauma due to their practice environment and patient population. The consequences of labour and delivery nurses' psychological trauma extend beyond individual health and impact the quality of patient care and organizational capacity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Furthermore, research is needed to inform education, support and policy measures to mitigate harm effectively. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Nurse-specific trauma theory has not been applied to the unique labour and delivery environment with a high incidence of patient trauma. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Multiple causes of trauma in the perinatal context have created a pervasive yet largely preventable issue. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: This research will impact labour and delivery nurses, their leadership, and their patients.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Perinatal Bereavement in Racially, Culturally, and Gender Diverse Families

ABSTRACT

Perinatal loss, the tragic event of losing a baby before, during, or shortly after birth, is a profoundly distressing experience for any family. We focus on the unique challenges faced by diverse families, encompassing those from underrepresented racial, ethnic, religious, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds. Diverse families often encounter inadequate support, misunderstandings, and even mistreatment during their perinatal loss journeys due to cultural insensitivity and biases. This review underscores the necessity of a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to perinatal bereavement care that respects the diversity of those affected. We emphasize the importance of understanding various cultural perspectives on grief and mortality to provide appropriate and empathetic care.Our core purpose is to elucidate the challenges confronting diverse families dealing with perinatal loss and to offer actionable strategies for health care providers. By addressing these unique challenges, nurses and other health care professionals can offer culturally sensitive, person-centered support during this distressing time. This review can serve as a resource for nurses and other health care providers, enabling them to provide personalized, culturally sensitive care to diverse families experiencing perinatal loss through a trauma-informed lens. Recognizing and addressing these distinctive needs fosters healing and ensures that nurses and other health care providers are better equipped to guide families through the challenging journey of perinatal bereavement.