Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41338647›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

How should trauma discussions be approached in maternity care? Perspectives from a qualitative study with women, voluntary sector representatives and healthcare providers in the UK.

Joanne Cull, Gillian Thomson, Soo Downe, Michelle Fine, Anastasia Topalidou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Joanne CullSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Institute of Health & Social Care, London South Bank University, London, England, UK joanne.cull@lsbu.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8990-154X
Gillian ThomsonSchool of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3392-8182
Soo DowneSchool of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Michelle FineThe City University of New York, New York, New York, USA.
Anastasia TopalidouSchool of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0280-6801

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMany pregnant women have a history of trauma, such as abuse or violence, which can significantly impact their mental and physical health. Discussing these experiences in maternity care presents an opportunity to support women, reduce stigma and connect them with resources. However, concerns persist about stigmatisation, re-traumatisation and unwarranted safeguarding referrals.The objective of this study was to explore how trauma discussions should be approached in maternity care, drawing on the perspectives of women with lived experience, voluntary sector representatives and healthcare providers in the UK. Findings aim to inform the development of a future intervention.

methodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with women with trauma histories (experts by experience; n=4), representatives of voluntary sector organisations (n=7) and healthcare providers (n=12). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A qualitative content analysis approach was employed, supported by a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group (named as the 'Research Collective' for this study) comprising experts by experience, maternity care professionals and voluntary sector practitioners. The group contributed to both study design and data analysis.

findingsFive descriptive categories emerged: (1)

conclusionTrauma discussions in maternity care are complex but essential. Findings provide practical, UK-specific insights into timing, communication and staff support considerations, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive, co-designed approaches to facilitate safe and effective trauma-informed care.

Indexed as

Health PersonnelMaternal Health ServicesPregnant PeopleAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicPregnancyQualitative ResearchSocial StigmaUnited KingdomMENTAL HEALTHOBSTETRICSPregnancyPsychological StressPsychosocial Intervention

Identifiers

PMID41338647
PMCPMC12706108

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.