Trauma-Informed Care in Birth: For Patients & Providers

This training provides healthcare providers with a basic understanding of birth trauma, including how common it is, how it may present psychologically, and how it can affect perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, parent–infant bonding, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Using the SAMHSA framework and the Three E’s of Trauma—Event, Experience, and Effect—participants will learn how birth experiences can be traumatic in different ways and how a wide range of individuals may be impacted, including LGBTQ+ birthing people, Black parents, individuals who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, and those with prior medical trauma.

The training highlights the important role healthcare providers play in preventing and reducing birth trauma by using trauma-informed care throughout the perinatal period. Participants will review common negative perinatal thoughts, best practices for supporting families, and culturally responsive care approaches. The training also addresses vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue among perinatal providers and offers practical strategies for self-care. Somatic grounding techniques that can be used by both patients and providers will be reviewed, including bilateral movement, tapping, the Butterfly Hug, and Havening Touch.

1. Identify the prevalence, clinical presentations, and downstream effects of psychological birth trauma, including the distinction between postpartum PTSD and subclinical psychological birth trauma, using current evidence-based frameworks including the Three E's of Trauma and DSM-5 criteria.
2. Apply trauma-informed care principles within perinatal healthcare settings to support diverse birthing populations and trauma survivors — through culturally responsive, affirming, and collaborative approaches that reduce the risk of traumatic birth experiences. 
3. Demonstrate awareness of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue as occupational risks for perinatal providers, and identify at least two evidence-informed strategies for mitigating provider burnout and supporting patient regulation during and after traumatic birth experiences.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Questions?  If you have any questions, please contact Annelise Slater, MPH at aslater@njhcqi@org

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