Empowering women through trauma-informed maternity care: the EMPATHY framework.

ABSTRACT:

Background

At least one in four women in the UK has experienced trauma, such as sexual abuse or violence, with profound implications for mental and physical health, particularly during the perinatal period. Despite the potential benefits of addressing trauma in maternity care, many women are reluctant to disclose their experiences due to stigma, fear of judgment, or lack of trust in healthcare systems. This paper presents the development and evaluation of the EMPATHY framework, a novel, evidence-based approach to routine trauma discussions in maternity care, designed to address these challenges and promote emotionally-centred care.

Methods

The EMPATHY framework was developed through a critical participatory action research approach, integrating findings from a systematic rev

SUBMITTER: Cull J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12715818 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature