EVB's Key points from the MASIC foundation Webinar

We were proud sponsors of the MASIC Foundations Webinar on the 8th July “: Understanding the emotional consequences of a birth trauma experience.

 

The event was officially introduced by Dame Lesley Regan Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London and Consultant at St Mary’s Hospital in London, Secretary-General of FIGO, a member of the NHS Assembly and Chair of Charity Wellbeing of Women.

 

Our key take-aways from the event are as follows:

1. Dr. Pauline Slade – Prof in Clinical Psychology/Consultant Clinical Psychologist University of Liverpool spoke about Pilot pelvic health centres are being rolled out across the UK. NHS initiative for postnatal mums but that it would have improved outcomes for menopausal and post-surgery women.

 

2. Sheffield birth Trauma Centre offers post-natal services. They have seen focused psychological investigations for women that have experienced a traumatic delivery really effective. At this centre, 7 1.5hr sessions are being offered to mums that have experienced a traumatic delivery. You can self refer and no time limit post-delivery and have seen women

 

3. Dr Rebecca Moore – Co-Founder of Make Birth Better organisation Birth Trauma Support For Parents - Make Birth BetterThis was set up in 2018 by parents and clinicians with a vision to create a world where people would no longer suffer from birth trauma. It wasn’t until 2014 that birth was recognised as something that could cause clinical trauma.

 

4. Kate Walsh – Pelvic health physiotherapist spoke about the connection between the brain and the pelvic floor. Pelvic health physiotherapist uses a multidisciplinary approach when it comes to the treatment of women who have experienced a traumatic delivery. Psychosexual counselling and pelvic floor rehab in addition to usual medical care go hand in hand.

 

5. Prof M Keighley President of the MASIC Foundation spoke about analysing a database of 180 women over a 12 year period between 2008 – 2020 that had experienced 3rd or 4th-degree tears as a result of an obstetric injury. His findings were as follows:

·       97% suffered from anxiety

·       51% felt isolated

·       59% felt like failures as a mother

·       Post Traumatic Stress disorder 68%

·       Work compromise 88% with 24% losing their job

·       Loss of confidence 84%

Dr Sarah Hillman GP and clinical lecturer at Warwick University spoke about the role of the GP and how they can help women who have experienced 3rd and 4th-degree tears in childbirth. The GRACE project – a joint project between the University of Warwick and MASIC is due to launch in September 2021. Funded by NIHR – Research for Patient Benefit with the following aims:

·       Explore experiences of women who experience anal incontinence within 7 years after giving birth or at their menopause.

·       Develop an online resource to meet the information and support needs of these women

·       Uncover facilitators and barriers to identification support and treatment of AI by GP’s, to develop an e-learning education resource for health care professionals.

 

6. MASIC Trustee Jenny Tighe spoke about products that help keep her moving. Top of the list was EVB’s and she is training for a half marathon in the next few weeks.

7. Author Belinda Bradford gave a very powerful presentation and a snap shot into what it is like to experience trauma in childbirth

 

The MASIC charity will hold their next webinar Bladder and Bowel Incontinence after childbirth injury on 16th September: Bowel and Bladder Incontinence after childbirth injury: A patient and professional’s perspective - MASIC