Becoming a Trauma-Informed Perinatal Professional

Who needs to become trauma-informed?

• Those who entered their profession to help families and to prevent harm
• Those whose clients have been abused, raped, assaulted, or traumatised and want to be an agent of healing and help
• Those professionals who are on the brink of burnout from the dehumanisation of maternity care
• Professionals who want to do whatever they can so that they never hear of a postpartum mother who dies by suicide
• Everyone who knows they can become part of the solution by learning more and doing differently

Why do we need trauma-informed care?

High rates of disrespectful maternity services, provider burnout, traumatic birth experiences, and postpartum PTSD tells us that the time is now for a significant change in how maternity services are delivered. The current model is unsustainable just based on the laws of diminishing returns. Over-application of technology, interventions, and surgery are no longer continuing to improve outcomes, but rather are contributing to increasingly poorer long-term health consequences. 

"I was not prepared for the massive paradigm shift that would take place within me as an educator by taking Billie’s Trauma-Informed course. This course blew my mind, because it drove the urgency home that something needs to change and that I – ME – I could be that change for the families that walk through the doors of my facility."

At the same time, clients are presenting with more complexity. The generational effects of colonisation and attempted cultural genocide has broadened the gap in health disparities for Indigenous people. Marginalised groups are experiencing the consequences of racism, stigma, bias, exclusion, and violence. Refugees require sensitive and supportive care for their unique situation and challenges. Trafficking has affected a significant number of people, largely girls and women, who carry with them the accumulation of experiences that impact their health and their acceptance of health care strategies.

It's no longer possible to effectively deliver quality maternity care services without an accompanying education in trauma-informed care. The result of continuing to deliver services the way it's always been done, albeit with more testing and more technology, is increasing rates of trauma and the rise of suicide to become a leading cause of postpartum death in the developed world.

Trauma-informed care saves lives.

Trauma-informed care is a skill-set, much like CPR, or the ability to diagnose a treatable condition. It positively impacts the client by creating a trusting relationship where the client is able to build on positive interactions with the health care system, breaking down health care barriers, and becoming partners in their own health care decisions. It sends a message to the client that they are worthy of respectful care and that their health care needs matter.

"Doing Billie's course has changed how I will work as a doula forever. I can already see the profound change in my quality of care and how it’s making birthing women’s lives better."

Trauma-informed care benefits not just the client, but the clinician as well. It contributes to healthier exchanges between clients and clinicians, builds resilience in both parties, and develops healthy and sustainable workplaces. It improves the clinician's diagnostic accuracy, increases client participation in their own health care needs, and reduces clinician burnout and its accompanying professional and health consequences.

Trauma-informed practitioners have the ability to change the epigenetic expression of trauma in their clients and participate in breaking the cycle of abuse while at the same time improving their own health and workplace satisfaction.

Why choose Birth Trauma Ontario?

Birth Trauma Ontario's Founder and Director, Billie Harrigan, has been working with birthing families for over 35 years. She authored the world's first research-based certification course for becoming a trauma-informed perinatal professional.

"Billie's training information has magically improved my sensitivity for trauma! I learned a lot about myself and my work. I am now even more qualified for my work as a midwife working with parents experiencing pregnancy loss and stillbirth. I thank her every day for having found her training." 

Birth Trauma Ontario provides the same researched competency-based continuing education through a fully on-line learning experience. 

Participants will receive a certificate of completion and will have met the educational requirements for becoming a Partner with Birth Trauma Ontario. An education with Birth Trauma Ontario will inform your colleagues and clients that you are knowledgeable and equipped in trauma-informed care, you understand the complexities of the traumatised client, and you are part of the solution to the pandemic of obstetrical disrespect and birth-related trauma.