Dr Julie McCullough, Research Assistant and Reflexologist , Ulster University

This paper considers findings from a wider mixed methods study to understand women’s feelings following birth.  Three key themes illuminated the topic of women’s subjective distress: “Giving birth as traumatic/horrific”, “Lasting emotions linked to the birth process” and “The impact of health professionals”. Additionally, the results from the quantitative strand identified differences in women with raised post-traumatic stress symptoms.