Background
There are currently no established methods for including trauma-informed care in prenatal services. This study looks at what pregnant individuals prefer regarding their prenatal care, providers, and how trauma is addressed.
Methods
This research was part of a larger clinical trial and took place in a health center and clinic in a big city. We interviewed 27 diverse pregnant individuals aged 18 and older, between 10 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. We collected data from June 2023 to April 2024 and analyzed their responses to find common themes.
Results
The average age of participants was 28 years. Most identified as Black (78%) and a smaller group as Hispanic (19%). We found three main preferences for prenatal care:
- Agency and Choice: Patients want to feel in control of their care.
- Focus on Health and Wellbeing: Emphasis on both maternal and child health is crucial.
- Personalized Information: Patients prefer tailored resources and information.
Participants also expressed the importance of having providers who are familiar, engaging, and supportive. Additionally, they highlighted three key themes for addressing trauma:
- Value of Addressing Trauma: Recognizing trauma is essential.
- Approaches to Asking about Trauma: How providers inquire about trauma matters.
- Empathic Inquiry: Sensitive responses are needed when discussing trauma.
Conclusions
This study shows that prenatal care must consider the psychological health of pregnant patients to provide high-quality, comprehensive, and culturally responsive care.
Opportunities for Clinics
Based on the trial data, clinics can:
- Define measurable outcomes for trauma-informed care.
- Set clear goals for improving prenatal services.
- Select AI tools that meet specific clinical needs.
- Implement pilot projects to track results and expand based on findings.
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