No Cover Image

Journal article 224 views 8 downloads

Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma

Abigail Wheeler Orcid Logo, Fay Sweeting Orcid Logo, Andrew Mayers, Amy Brown Orcid Logo, Shanti Farrington

Midwifery, Volume: 152, Start page: 104668

Swansea University Author: Amy Brown Orcid Logo

  • 71560.VoR.pdf

    PDF | Version of Record

    © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY license.

    Download (735.5KB)

Check full text

DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104668

Abstract

Background: Experiencing any traumatic event can have long lasting impacts on mental health. In the context of childbirth, a traumatic experience could directly or indirectly impact a mother’s ability to successfully breastfeed and affect her long-term mental health. Being able to breastfeed success...

Full description

Published in: Midwifery
ISSN: 0266-6138
Published: Elsevier BV 2026
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71560
first_indexed 2026-03-05T13:39:17Z
last_indexed 2026-04-24T07:11:52Z
id cronfa71560
recordtype SURis
fullrecord <?xml version="1.0"?><rfc1807><datestamp>2026-04-23T12:20:58.3723768</datestamp><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>71560</id><entry>2026-03-05</entry><title>Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3</sid><ORCID>0000-0002-0438-0157</ORCID><firstname>Amy</firstname><surname>Brown</surname><name>Amy Brown</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2026-03-05</date><deptcode>HSOC</deptcode><abstract>Background: Experiencing any traumatic event can have long lasting impacts on mental health. In the context of childbirth, a traumatic experience could directly or indirectly impact a mother&#x2019;s ability to successfully breastfeed and affect her long-term mental health. Being able to breastfeed successfully is known to improve mental health outcomes for mothers. Aim: To explore how self-reported birth-related trauma symptoms affect breastfeeding and the role of support in shaping these experiences, to inform trauma-informed breastfeeding support services. Methods: A convenience sample of 93 mothers responded to this study and took part in an online survey. Qualitative questions were used to explore participants&#x2019; breastfeeding experiences, whether they felt a traumatic birth had contributed to this experience, and what support they received to subsequently breastfeed. Participants also completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, or PCL-5 as part of the online survey, which is a standardised screening tool used in the assessment of PTSD symptoms. Participants who self-reported a traumatic birth and scored 32 or above on the PCL-5 were analysed further (N = 50). Findings: Results showed that mothers had both positive and negative experiences of healthcare staff support with breastfeeding. Positive support, such as encouragement and advice from healthcare staff, was shown to be beneficial after birth trauma, enabling mothers to heal and recover from their experiences and supported bonding with their infant. Negative experiences, such as pressure from healthcare staff or challenges when breastfeeding, were reported to have had a detrimental perceived impact on mental health outcomes, leading mothers to seek further breastfeeding and wellbeing support following a traumatic birth. Conclusion: Trauma-informed breastfeeding support is required to enable more positive mental health outcomes of mothers, following a traumatic birth.</abstract><type>Journal Article</type><journal>Midwifery</journal><volume>152</volume><journalNumber/><paginationStart>104668</paginationStart><paginationEnd/><publisher>Elsevier BV</publisher><placeOfPublication/><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint>0266-6138</issnPrint><issnElectronic/><keywords>Breast feeding; Psychological trauma; Stress disorders; Post-traumatic; Perinatal care</keywords><publishedDay>1</publishedDay><publishedMonth>1</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2026</publishedYear><publishedDate>2026-01-01</publishedDate><doi>10.1016/j.midw.2025.104668</doi><url/><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Health and Social Care School</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><DepartmentCode>HSOC</DepartmentCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><apcterm>Another institution paid the OA fee</apcterm><funders>This research was not supported by any external funding.</funders><projectreference/><lastEdited>2026-04-23T12:20:58.3723768</lastEdited><Created>2026-03-05T13:37:22.5984836</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences</level><level id="2">School of Health and Social Care - Public Health</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Abigail</firstname><surname>Wheeler</surname><orcid>0009-0003-9679-9215</orcid><order>1</order></author><author><firstname>Fay</firstname><surname>Sweeting</surname><orcid>0000-0002-0334-578x</orcid><order>2</order></author><author><firstname>Andrew</firstname><surname>Mayers</surname><order>3</order></author><author><firstname>Amy</firstname><surname>Brown</surname><orcid>0000-0002-0438-0157</orcid><order>4</order></author><author><firstname>Shanti</firstname><surname>Farrington</surname><order>5</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>71560__36572__cea6ef25322745f6b2f91edc3291cef6.pdf</filename><originalFilename>71560.VoR.pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2026-04-23T12:18:45.0048381</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>753157</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>Version of Record</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><documentNotes>&#xA9; 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY license.</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language><licence>http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</licence></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling 2026-04-23T12:20:58.3723768 v2 71560 2026-03-05 Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma 37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3 0000-0002-0438-0157 Amy Brown Amy Brown true false 2026-03-05 HSOC Background: Experiencing any traumatic event can have long lasting impacts on mental health. In the context of childbirth, a traumatic experience could directly or indirectly impact a mother’s ability to successfully breastfeed and affect her long-term mental health. Being able to breastfeed successfully is known to improve mental health outcomes for mothers. Aim: To explore how self-reported birth-related trauma symptoms affect breastfeeding and the role of support in shaping these experiences, to inform trauma-informed breastfeeding support services. Methods: A convenience sample of 93 mothers responded to this study and took part in an online survey. Qualitative questions were used to explore participants’ breastfeeding experiences, whether they felt a traumatic birth had contributed to this experience, and what support they received to subsequently breastfeed. Participants also completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, or PCL-5 as part of the online survey, which is a standardised screening tool used in the assessment of PTSD symptoms. Participants who self-reported a traumatic birth and scored 32 or above on the PCL-5 were analysed further (N = 50). Findings: Results showed that mothers had both positive and negative experiences of healthcare staff support with breastfeeding. Positive support, such as encouragement and advice from healthcare staff, was shown to be beneficial after birth trauma, enabling mothers to heal and recover from their experiences and supported bonding with their infant. Negative experiences, such as pressure from healthcare staff or challenges when breastfeeding, were reported to have had a detrimental perceived impact on mental health outcomes, leading mothers to seek further breastfeeding and wellbeing support following a traumatic birth. Conclusion: Trauma-informed breastfeeding support is required to enable more positive mental health outcomes of mothers, following a traumatic birth. Journal Article Midwifery 152 104668 Elsevier BV 0266-6138 Breast feeding; Psychological trauma; Stress disorders; Post-traumatic; Perinatal care 1 1 2026 2026-01-01 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104668 COLLEGE NANME Health and Social Care School COLLEGE CODE HSOC Swansea University Another institution paid the OA fee This research was not supported by any external funding. 2026-04-23T12:20:58.3723768 2026-03-05T13:37:22.5984836 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Health and Social Care - Public Health Abigail Wheeler 0009-0003-9679-9215 1 Fay Sweeting 0000-0002-0334-578x 2 Andrew Mayers 3 Amy Brown 0000-0002-0438-0157 4 Shanti Farrington 5 71560__36572__cea6ef25322745f6b2f91edc3291cef6.pdf 71560.VoR.pdf 2026-04-23T12:18:45.0048381 Output 753157 application/pdf Version of Record true © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY license. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
spellingShingle Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
Amy Brown
title_short Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
title_full Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
title_fullStr Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
title_full_unstemmed Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
title_sort Improving perinatal mental health outcomes: The role of support in assisting breastfeeding experiences following birth trauma
author_id_str_mv 37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3
author_id_fullname_str_mv 37aea6965461cb0510473d109411a0c3_***_Amy Brown
author Amy Brown
author2 Abigail Wheeler
Fay Sweeting
Andrew Mayers
Amy Brown
Shanti Farrington
format Journal article
container_title Midwifery
container_volume 152
container_start_page 104668
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
issn 0266-6138
doi_str_mv 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104668
publisher Elsevier BV
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str School of Health and Social Care - Public Health{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Health and Social Care - Public Health
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Background: Experiencing any traumatic event can have long lasting impacts on mental health. In the context of childbirth, a traumatic experience could directly or indirectly impact a mother’s ability to successfully breastfeed and affect her long-term mental health. Being able to breastfeed successfully is known to improve mental health outcomes for mothers. Aim: To explore how self-reported birth-related trauma symptoms affect breastfeeding and the role of support in shaping these experiences, to inform trauma-informed breastfeeding support services. Methods: A convenience sample of 93 mothers responded to this study and took part in an online survey. Qualitative questions were used to explore participants’ breastfeeding experiences, whether they felt a traumatic birth had contributed to this experience, and what support they received to subsequently breastfeed. Participants also completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, or PCL-5 as part of the online survey, which is a standardised screening tool used in the assessment of PTSD symptoms. Participants who self-reported a traumatic birth and scored 32 or above on the PCL-5 were analysed further (N = 50). Findings: Results showed that mothers had both positive and negative experiences of healthcare staff support with breastfeeding. Positive support, such as encouragement and advice from healthcare staff, was shown to be beneficial after birth trauma, enabling mothers to heal and recover from their experiences and supported bonding with their infant. Negative experiences, such as pressure from healthcare staff or challenges when breastfeeding, were reported to have had a detrimental perceived impact on mental health outcomes, leading mothers to seek further breastfeeding and wellbeing support following a traumatic birth. Conclusion: Trauma-informed breastfeeding support is required to enable more positive mental health outcomes of mothers, following a traumatic birth.
published_date 2026-01-01T07:56:21Z
_version_ 1864602360016273408
score 11.10461

Similar Items