The Empowerment Equation is a place for help. It is a place to share your story of a painful event with others, and to offer solutions and suggestions as to what went right during your labor and delivery experience. It is also a place for those with a history of prior sexual trauma to reach out for help in preparation for labor and delivery. To do so optimizes the chances of achieving a positive birth experience.
“Trauma is an experience that overwhelms our capacity to have a sense of control over our bodies and our immediate environment, maintain connection with others, and make meaning of our experience." PAAR (Pittsburgh Action Against Rape) 2018
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Sometimes a woman enters their labor and delivery with a history of prior heartbreaking and upsetting experiences. These experiences may include abuses that have happened throughout her childhood including rape or sexual assault. They could be the result of a previous traumatic birth. A woman's past history of sexual trauma or PTSD may make her more likely to experience seemingly common events of labor as traumatic. The consequences of a distressing birth experience can affect a woman's health both physically and psychologically, and may interfere with her ability to interact with her baby.
Resources
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WEBSITE: P A T T Ch
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Pattch stands for the Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth. Founded in 2007, their mission is to"expand awareness and knowledge about the adverse impact of trauma on childbearing people, their perinatal care team, and the community."
They have a wealth of resources for you to explore and use. Visit them at the link below.
They have a wealth of resources for you to explore and use. Visit them at the link below.
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WEBSITE: postpartum.net
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Postpartum Support International provides support and education around perinatal mental health. Please visit their button for help and resources for you and your family.
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BOOK: When Survivors Give Birth
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When Survivors Give Birth, by Penny Simpkin and Phyllis Kalus, is written for a mixed audience of maternity care professionals and para-professionals, mental health therapists and counselors, and women survivors and their families. The authors expertly and compassionately address the unusual and distressing challenges that arise for abuse survivors during the childbirth experience.
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WORKSHEET: Grounding Skills
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A tool to help with breathing, relaxation, and stress reduction during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
For help filing a hospital complaint or grievance:
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Please contact Dr. Tracey Vogel directly at [email protected] or download the attached template linked below.
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Contact Dr. Vogel here for a consultation or provider training information.
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