When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women

I can’t think of many books, of any genre, that I would say are truly revolutionary but When Survivors Give Birth is absolutely one of them. This book is a sweeping compendium of everything a provider might need in order to deal more effectively and compassionately with a pregnant woman who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. From triggers in pregnancy to challenges in the postpartum period with breastfeeding, body image or dealing with the affects of a traumatic birth, the authors have meticulously researched the issue of childhood sexual abuse and how it affects pregnant women and new moms. Careful attention is also paid in helping the survivor understand the positive role that a doula can play in her childbirth experience as well as how to get providers to “recognize the needs and fears beneath the surface,” (139). In my mind the book has a dual target audience: survivors themselves and also providers who deal with survivors.Survivors themselves might find the personal “stories” in When Survivors Give Birth. While they may be triggering to some survivors, their value is still immense, especially for providers who, again, may be unaware of how survivors might “look” or why they make the decisions they do. The stories provide a practical, real life view of what is being discussed in the chapter and how that impacts the pregnant woman.As a childbirth educator, trauma birth counselor and educational trainer, there is much information for me to takeaway from the book. And that’s coming from someone who has worked with survivors of intimate partner violence for over ten years. Traditionally there hasn’t been much work done with pregnant survivors or new mom survivors of any kind of abuse. Chapters like “How survivors can reduce the risk of a traumatic birth” include useful advice like, “risks can be reduced if the abuse survivor can identify and express her needs or even resolve some troubling emotional issues before the birth,” (emphasis mine 63). This is so important to be aware of.When Survivors Give Birth is a terrific reference for anyone who deals with pregnant women in any capacity: from birth doula to ob/gyn. My only complaint is that like _Survivor Moms_ the Simkin and Klaus don't spend as much time making the connection between childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner violence. CSA doesn't happen in a vacuum and I wish that was more acknowledged in this book.One of the strongest pieces in WSGB is the section that focuses on the postpartum period. That’s a time when traditionally, the woman gets little or no attention from providers (“come back and see me in 6 weeks,”) but which is a time of great vulnerability and change for even non-survivors. Simkin and Klaus meticulously explore the connection between postpartum mood disorders, for example, and survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Postpartum mood disorder screening for even non-survivors of abysmal but my hope would be that if more providers were to read this book, they might recognize all the more the importance on appropriate screening AND follow-up.WSGB, is the sort of book that one returns to again and again, both for basics like statistics, symptoms and practical tips on how to deal more sensitively to the needs of survivors of childhood sexual abuse but also for basics such as creative problem solving, better active listening and additional resources

This book is so, SO important and valuable to women and their spouse/partner and EVERY person involved with birth work. Birth can be difficult and challenging, even for physically and emotionally healthy women. Add in prior trauma in the form of sexual abuse/trauma, and it is often beyond imaginable. Penny Simkin is well-known in the birth world, and I hope she becomes better known as a result of this important work. Anybody interested in improving birth can benefit from this book.

My partner and I are reading this book together and it has helped not only our communication with each other regarding the way trauma is affecting my pregnancy, but helps him to better advocate for me with my OBGYN and any other professional involved with my care.

This is an AMAZING book. As a survivor myself and having not yet dealt with the past issues it was hard for me but my husband and my mom and mom-in-law all read it. It was SUPER helpful. The labour did not give me issues but the breastfeeding has brought all abuse back and this book has been sooo helpful to my family to help me cope. This baby was my first but I will be reading this book all over again if we ever get pregnant again!

As a birth doula, the information this book provides is invaluable! 1 in 4 women have been abused in childhood....which means if you're a doula you'll be working with A LOT of these women. Knowing potential reactions and why will help you serve them better! A MUST-GET book for every birth professional!

This book was amazing for me, as both a labor and delivery nurse as well as a CSA survivor. It has changed how I practice, how I choose my words, and how I frame my interactions with my patients. It also makes me more patient with myself in situations where I may feel vulnerable, and gives me considerable insight. So glad that such a wonderful book is available for professionals in birth.

I'm not quite finished with this book yet, but am very pleased with my purchase. So many things that you learn from reading as a survivor that seem to be super helpful in preparing for child birth. I have already had some great conversations with my midwife.

I got this book during my 3rd pregnancy. I started therapy after my second child and began addressing things that I had ignored for 2 decades. This book was extremely validating and helped put into words what I experienced in my previous births. I highly recommend this if you want an empowering, healing birth experience if you are a survivor!

I bought this book hoping I would get information for my dissertation. I was concerned that this would be heavy going, but was pleasantly surprised on how easy this book is to read . It has great insight on how women can react to childbearing and opens our eyes as health care professionals on how to recognise and support women who have suffered historic sexual abuse.

This has been so useful for my dissertation about SA - sensitively written, with good reference to other literature - a midwife's buddy.

Great book to help survivors and health professionals.