A very helpful book regarding birth and rape victims.

[kijip]

As a survivor of childhood rape, I would have REALLY benefited from finding this book by Peggy Simkin (author of Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn and a founder of a doula organization) earlier. I have really enjoyed reading it. I certainly experienced issues with my delivery and I had very little advice on the topic from my doctors. My new OB for my next baby is very aware of these issues I know that it will make a difference in my mental state leading up to birth and afterwards.

http://www.pennysimkin.com/WSGB.html

With up to 1 in 4 women having experienced sexual abuse, I figured that this resource may help some fellow BBB mamas or mamas to be or a mom to be that you know.

Another resource I found very useful and that helped me come to have a healthy sexual relationship after the fear, pain and stress of the aftermath of rape was a book called A Survivor's Guide to Sex:

http://www.babeland.com/page/TIB/PROD/KH128400

If you or someone you know has this kind of history and is planning on having a baby, I strongly suggest reading the book from the first link and also seeking out a doc or midwife that is aware of the kinds of issues that birth often raises for survivors of abuse. If you have questions or need someone to talk to, contact a professional in your area or email me off group for ideas.

[tippy]

Katie,

Thank you for sharing your experience (as painful as it must have been) and this great resource. I really admire your ability to share openly about such a traumatic experience and am sure doing so has helped many others who may not be there yet.

Teva
Mom to AJ born 1-8-03

[dr mom]

Katie, I really admire you for being so forthright and open about what I am sure has been a very painful issue. Thank you for sharing your experiences - hopefully as we begin to acknowledge and discuss the reality of sexual abuse, it will help to remove some of the stigma and shame that abuse survivors so often struggle with.

[Rachels]

Penny Simkin is great in general with birth books and articles, and I'm glad to hear about this one! A friend of mine wrote her dissertation on women's experiences of birth after sexual abuse. I'm on the board at the birth center where Abigail was born, and at a recent board meeting we were discussing sources of support for women in this circumstance. Good to know there's another resource.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya Angelou

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif Two years and counting!