Våldsutsatthet och förlossningsrädsla : En studie om våldsutsatthet bland kvinnor som fått barnmorskeledd behandling av förlossningsrädsla

Sammanfattning: Violence against women is a global public health problem as well as a violation against human rights. This descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted to investigate experience of violence among women who receive midwifery care for childbirth fear. Data were retrieved from 633 patient records. In addition, all obstetric clinics offering care for fear of childbirth in Sweden were asked via e-mail about routines with regard to violence. Response rate was 56 percent. The results showed that only 50 percent of pregnant women had been asked about violence as part of the medical history, despite the national recommendation that all pregnant women should be asked about the subject. Among women who received midwife-led counseling for childbirth fear, 34 percent had reported some form of violence during their lifetime. All obstetric clinics follow the recommendations of The National Board of Health and Welfare regarding the appropriate skills within the team, although supplementary courses taken by the midwives at the clinics do differ. Midwives can play a crucial role for the survival and well-being of women faced with domestic violence. Midwives should keep in mind that there may be earlier or ongoing violence that contributes to the woman´s fear of childbirth.