Midwives in providing health care for pregnant women with histories of abuse

Presented in this article is a unique model of collaborative health care practice between advance practice psychiatric nurses and certified nurse midwives in providing health care for pregnant women with histories of abuse, Women who have been sexually abused as children tend to have more problems during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum Four specific areas of mental health concerns have been identified: depression, dissociation, maternal/infant adjustment, and sexual adjustment in couples, Coordinated treatment plans allows for various physical and psychological interventions that are appropriate to the stage and preparation for childbirth and for after the delivery. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company