Healthcare experiences of pregnant and postnatal women and healthcare professionals when facing child protection in the perinatal period: A systematic review and Critical Interpretative Synthesis.

Background: The perinatal period is known as time of transition and anticipation. For women with social risk factors, child protection services may become involved during the perinatal period and this might complicate their interactions with healthcare providers.

Aim: To systematically review and synthesise the existing qualitative evidence of healthcare experiences of women and healthcare professionals during the perinatal period while facing child protection involvement.

Separation at birth due to safeguarding concerns: Using reproductive justice theory to re-think the role of midwives.

Separation at birth due to safeguarding concerns is a deeply distressing and impactful event, with numbers rising across the world, and has devastating outcomes for birth mothers and their children. It is one of the most challenging aspects of contemporary midwifery practice in high-income countries, although rarely discussed and reflected on during pre- and post-registration midwifery training. Ethnic and racial disparities are prevalent both in child protection and maternity services and can be explained through an intersectional lens, accounting for biases based on race, gender, class, and societal beliefs around motherhood.

A consensus statement on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for post-pandemic recovery and re-build.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant lifecourse rupture, not least to those who had specific physical vulnerabilities to the virus, but also to those who were suffering with mental ill health. Women and birthing people who were pregnant, experienced a perinatal bereavement, or were in the first post-partum year (i.e.

(Non-)disclosure of lifetime sexual violence in maternity care: Disclosure rate, associated characteristics and reasons for non-disclosure.

Background: In maternity care, disclosure of a past sexual violence (SV) experience can be helpful to clients to discuss specific intimate care needs. Little evidence is available about the disclosure rates of SV within maternity care and reasons for non-disclosure.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine (1) the disclosure rate of SV in maternity care, (2) characteristics associated with disclosure of SV and (3) reasons for non-disclosure.

Targeted health and social care interventions for women and infants who are disproportionately impacted by health inequalities in high-income countries: a systematic review.

Background: Disadvantaged populations (such as women from minority ethnic groups and those with social complexity) are at an increased risk of poor outcomes and experiences. Inequalities in health outcomes include preterm birth, maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and poor-quality care. The impact of interventions is unclear for this population, in high-income countries (HIC).

Navigating uncertainty alone: A grounded theory analysis of women's psycho-social experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in London.

Problem: Maternity care underwent substantial reconfiguration in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: COVID-19 posed an unprecedented public health crisis, risking population health and causing a significant health system shock.

Aim: To explore the psycho-social experiences of women who received maternity care and gave birth in South London during the first 'lockdown'.

(Re)activation of survival strategies during pregnancy and childbirth following experiences of childhood sexual abuse.

Objectives: To explore the pregnancy and childbearing experiences of women-survivors of childhood sexual abuse [CSA]. We aimed to generate a theory explaining those experiences for this population (women), this phenomenon (pregnancy and childbirth), and this context (those who have survived CSA).

Method: Participants (N=6) were recruited to semi-structured interviews about their experiences of CSA and subsequent pregnancy and childbirth.

Undisturbed Physiological Birth: Insights from Women Who Freebirth in the United Kingdom.

Objective: To understand women's experiences of undisturbed physiological birth by exploring the narratives of women who have freebirthed their babies in the United Kingdom (intentionally giving birth without midwives or doctors present).

Design: Unstructured narrative face-to-face interviews were carried out and data were analysed using the Voice Centred Relational Method (VCRM).

Participants: Sixteen women who had freebirthed their babies.

Co-production of an e-resource to help women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse prepare for pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.

Background: This paper reports the development of a co-produced e-resource to support those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse through pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. These are times of major transition for any woman but can present particular challenges for those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Re-traumatisation during the perinatal period is common and can occur in ways that may not be anticipated by those involved.

Disclosure of non-recent (historic) childhood sexual abuse: What should researchers do?

Non-recent (historic) childhood sexual abuse is an important issue to research, though often regarded as taboo and frequently met with caution, avoidance or even opposition from research ethics committees. Sensitive research, such as that which asks victim-survivors to recount experiences of abuse or harm, has the propensity to be emotionally challenging for both the participant and the researcher. However, most research suggests that any distress experienced is usually momentary and not of any clinical significance.

Exploring the conceptualisation and study of freebirthing as a historical and social phenomenon: a meta-narrative review of diverse research traditions.

Freebirthing is a clandestine practice whereby women intentionally give birth without healthcare professionals (HCPs) present in countries where there are medical facilities available to assist them. Women who make this decision are frequently subjected to stigma and condemnation, yet research on the phenomenon suggests that women's motivations are often complex. The aim of this review was to explore how freebirth has been conceptualised over time in the English-language academic and grey literature.

Montgomery on informed consent: an inexpert decision?

Montgomery v Lanarkshire HB is a deeply troubling decision when read closely. Paradoxically, its ruling supporting the principle of autonomy could be justified only by disregarding the individual patient's actual choices and characteristics in favour of a stereotype. The decision demonstrates a lack of expertise in dealing with specific clinical issues and misrepresents professional guidance.

Current evidence on antenatal care provision for women with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review.

Background: changing attitudes, alongside integration, more independent living and recognition of rights to family life have meant a steady rise in women with intellectual disabilities becoming pregnant. However, existing evidence shows that women with intellectual disabilities are less likely to seek or attend for regular antenatal care. This population experiences poorer maternal wellbeing and worse pregnancy outcomes compared to the general population, including preterm and low-birthweight babies.

The re-enactment of childhood sexual abuse in maternity care: a qualitative study.

Background: The process of pregnancy and birth are profound events that can be particularly challenging for women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. The silence that surrounds childhood sexual abuse means that few women disclose it and those caring for them will often not be aware of their history. It is known from anecdotal accounts that distressing memories may be triggered by childbirth and maternity care but research data on the subject are rare.

A feminist narrative study of the maternity care experiences of women who were sexually abused in childhood.

Background: One in five women experience childhood sexual abuse and these women may suffer trauma during childbirth. Their maternity care is often reminiscent of their abuse.

Objective: To inform practice by exploring the impact that childhood sexual abuse has on the maternity care experiences of adult women.

Feeling safe: a metasynthesis of the maternity care needs of women who were sexually abused in childhood.

Background: The impact of childhood sexual abuse on birth experiences was highlighted 20 years ago in Birth. Subsequent accounts in the midwifery press testify to the emotional trauma that women who were sexually abused as children may suffer during childbirth and the potential for caregivers to make the situation worse. This study synthesizes research on the maternity care experiences of women who were sexually abused in childhood to answer the questions: what do women need during their childbearing experiences and what can health care practitioners do about it?

Methods: A metasynthesis was conducted to integrate the findings of several qualitative studies.