Finding Support that is Trauma Informed

What is Trauma?

Trauma is defined by the three Es:

Trauma results from an Event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is Experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse Effects on the individual’s functioning and physical, social, emotional, or spiritual wellbeing.

(SAMHSA, 2014; https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/trauma-informed-care-operating-plan.pdf)

Trauma can have lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being.

Finding Support that is Trauma and Violence Informed

The goal of Trauma-informed care (TIC) is to create safety for people seeking care by understanding the effects of trauma and the impact on health and behaviour.

Trauma- and violence-informed care (TVIC) expands the concept of TIC and considers the impacts of violence and inequities on a person’s life.

If you have/are facing experiences of trauma or violence, you may find it difficult to navigate interactions with health and social care providers. Health and social care providers can provide, trauma and violence-informed support in all maternal healthcare and community settings.

The following key principles of trauma and violence-informed approaches can be asked for by patients, and offered by maternal healthcare providers:

Safety and Trustworthiness

Tell your health care provider what safety means for you, including options the health/social care team can offer to address your safety concerns.
Discuss what the signs of feeling overwhelmed are for you (for example, do you get agitated, or do you find yourself freezing or becoming numb); and what you find helpful to re-center (e.g. mindfulness exercises, walking, saying affirmations, breathing exercises, having an Elder present). Ask for help in noticing these signs and using these strategies as necessary.
Ensure that your health care provider explains all procedures beforehand and with continuous consent as you go along, so the process is predictable for you.

Choice and Collaboration

Ensure that your health/social care provider listens and enlists your ideas of how you can have choice and control to the degree possible, as to your care at each stage of the pregnancy, in the delivery process, when breastfeeding.
Ask for options and discuss your choices – about birth plans; breast or bottle feeding; gender of practitioner – so you feel empowered to the degree possible over your maternity care experience.

Connection

Trauma and violence-informed support is intended to repair memories of unsafe, overwhelming experiences. Know that a respectful and positive connection with your provider is important to your care.
Know that many patients with trauma and/or violence histories are ambivalent about connecting with their infants; be assured that this is common; and work with your provider to identity how they can best help you with attachment.
Notice how the health/social care team models respectful relationships among themselves and with other professionals, as well as with you. This relational and emotionally intelligent approach supports the enactment of trauma-informed care.

Strengths and skill building

Know that opportunities to learn and practice self calming skills can be important to your wellness.
Connect with community services that offer walking groups, mindfulness practice, yoga, drumming and other wellness-oriented practices to support your wellness, growth, recovery and healing.
Connect with local anti-violence services and support groups as needed.
Know that you are strong and resilient, that you already possess survival skills, and can develop further skills to support your wellness, growth, recovery and healing.

Resources for Patients

Podcasts:

Gender and Healthcare (English audio only, French transcript available)

Resources for African, Caribbean, and Black Patients

Recognizing the Effects of Abuse-Related Trauma
Recognizing and Attending to Trauma Responses
Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy
People of Colour Online Classroom
BIPOC Women’s Health

Resources for Indigenous Patients

Connecting with Culture – Growing our Wellness Activity Guide
Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
Recognizing the Effects of Abuse-Related Trauma
Recognizing and Attending to Trauma Responses
Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy
People of Colour Online Classroom

Resources for Gender-Diverse Patients

Gender and Healthcare (English audio only, French transcript available)
Pride in Health & Wellbeing
Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
Rainbow Health Ontario
Recognizing the Effects of Abuse-Related Trauma
Recognizing and Attending to Trauma Responses
Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy

Pregnancy Info

Birth
Special considerations
Finding Support that is Trauma Informed