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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Making sense of birth: Evaluation of a birth reflections service and its impact on women’s wellbeing
1
National Maternity Hospital, Joint Research Network- Clinical professional Development department, Dublin, Ireland
2
University College Dublin, School of Nursing- Midwifery & Health Systems, Dublin, Ireland
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A898
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Unstructured debriefing, including formats termed "Birth Reflections," has been associated with psychological benefit and is recommended for women who seek support after their birth. Birth reflections refer to a process through which a woman reflects on and discusses her recent birth experience. This reflective space can enhance understanding, validate emotional responses, and answer unresolved questions.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To assess the impact of a recently established Birth Reflections Service on women’s psychological wellbeing. 2. To profile the clinical and demographic characteristics of attendees. 3. To identify areas for improvement.
METHODS:
A prospective before and after study: participants complete questionnaires before attending the Birth Reflections Service and again 2–3 weeks’ post-intervention (preliminary findings from 9 months of a 12-month data collection timeframe will be presented – data collection is ongoing). Measures include demographic and obstetric history, the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, and the Impact of Events Scale–Revised (IES-R). The CARE Measure for patient satisfaction and open-ended questions on how to improve the service are included in the post-intervention questionnaire.
RESULTS:
Among 127 participants, the findings suggest that wellbeing is significantly improved post-intervention (WHO-5, p < .001) and psychological distress is reduced ( (IES-R scores p < .001). CARE scores are consistently high (mean scores: 4.61–4.91), with 83–90% rating aspects of interpersonal care as "Excellent." Free text responses were provided by 72% of participants, with terms like ‘healing’, ‘supportive’, and ‘validating’ used to describe the service. Suggestions include expanding awareness of the service, providing follow-up opportunities, and improving the referral process.
CONCLUSIONS:
A midwifery-led Birth Reflections Service is showing positive benefits for women’s postnatal wellbeing. Integration should be considered across all maternity care settings.
KEY MESSAGE:
Preliminary results suggest that the Birth Reflections Service enhances women’s psychological wellbeing and is highly valued by women as a validating space in which to reflect on their birth experience. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Unstructured debriefing, including formats termed "Birth Reflections," has been associated with psychological benefit and is recommended for women who seek support after their birth. Birth reflections refer to a process through which a woman reflects on and discusses her recent birth experience. This reflective space can enhance understanding, validate emotional responses, and answer unresolved questions.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To assess the impact of a recently established Birth Reflections Service on women’s psychological wellbeing. 2. To profile the clinical and demographic characteristics of attendees. 3. To identify areas for improvement.
METHODS:
A prospective before and after study: participants complete questionnaires before attending the Birth Reflections Service and again 2–3 weeks’ post-intervention (preliminary findings from 9 months of a 12-month data collection timeframe will be presented – data collection is ongoing). Measures include demographic and obstetric history, the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, and the Impact of Events Scale–Revised (IES-R). The CARE Measure for patient satisfaction and open-ended questions on how to improve the service are included in the post-intervention questionnaire.
RESULTS:
Among 127 participants, the findings suggest that wellbeing is significantly improved post-intervention (WHO-5, p < .001) and psychological distress is reduced ( (IES-R scores p < .001). CARE scores are consistently high (mean scores: 4.61–4.91), with 83–90% rating aspects of interpersonal care as "Excellent." Free text responses were provided by 72% of participants, with terms like ‘healing’, ‘supportive’, and ‘validating’ used to describe the service. Suggestions include expanding awareness of the service, providing follow-up opportunities, and improving the referral process.
CONCLUSIONS:
A midwifery-led Birth Reflections Service is showing positive benefits for women’s postnatal wellbeing. Integration should be considered across all maternity care settings.
KEY MESSAGE:
Preliminary results suggest that the Birth Reflections Service enhances women’s psychological wellbeing and is highly valued by women as a validating space in which to reflect on their birth experience. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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