Sexual Effects of Trauma Experience on Pregnancy and Labour

Abstract

Sexual abuse can affect various areas of a person’s life. One is motherhood, with related factors like the decision to have a child, getting pregnant, pregnancy experience, delivery, and the postpartum period. In this chapter, we want to present how these areas may be related to the plight of women who have experienced the trauma of sexual abuse. Many aspects of this trauma are comparable to physical and emotional abuse. First, we theoretically explain how memories can affect the present, and then, based on clinical experience with sexually abused clients, we highlight the importance of the facts that should be known to anyone who encounters survivors in their work. Finally, we will add for health care professionals (HCPs) statements of women who shared what would be the most soothing to hear, with examples of specific sentences for HCPs to help promote emotional security and positive experiences. This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.