Community Engaged Development of Birth Navigator Intervention to Promote Resilient Childbirth for Trauma Survivors
Principal Investigator
Childbirth is often quite stressful for survivors of trauma due to their past experiences and feelings of vulnerability. Trauma-informed care emphasizes choice and empowerment to reduce re-traumatization and promote resilience. However, differences in the quality of perinatal care for patients can increase the risk of re-traumatizing them.
This project aims to develop an intervention called the Birth Navigator to help perinatal patients and their healthcare providers participate in shared decision-making during the birthing process. Data will be analyzed from completed in-depth qualitative interviews with obstetrics providers and birthing people to develop an initial blueprint for the Birth Navigator. Then, cognitive interviews will be conducted with pregnant and postpartum trauma survivors and obstetric providers to provide feedback on content, cultural sensitivity, clinical utility, and feasibility. This project will form a Community Advisory Board of doulas and birthing people to guide each step of the project. The overall goal of this project is to improve maternal mental health outcomes by empowering trauma survivors in decision-making during childbirth.
