‘After last time, would you trust them?’ – Rebuilding trust in midwives after a traumatic birth

Abstract

AimTo explore the processes pregnant women used to rebuild their trust in midwives and obstetricians, after a previous traumatic birth. DesignA longitudinal feminist constructivist Grounded Theory methods study, using semi-structured interviews to investigate how women made sense of their journeys through pregnancy and maternity care, when they had previously experienced a traumatic birth. SettingNine UK women were recruited in early pregnancy via the internet and social media, and were interviewed three times during the perinatal period. FindingsDuring pregnancy, participants re-analysed their previous birth experience(s) in order to plan for this pregnancy and birth. Once they had conceptualised their plans, they sought out healthcare professionals who could offer support, and used naturally occurring or engineered trust diagnostic situations to establish whether trust could be rebuilt. ConclusionWithout a trusting relationship, midwives and obstetricians cannot deliver appropriate and efficient healthcare to pregnant people. Understanding the processes that pregnant women utilise to rebuild trust may help healthcare professionals to better understand their role in re-establishing these relationships.