ABSTRACT
Women may self-refer to a birth stories workshop, or midwives may suggest to mothers in their care that they should attend if they are struggling with their labour and birth experiences. The women may choose to continue to meet as a self-help group without the educator. The solution may be to provide a crèche, or for the colleague working with the educator to soothe and play with babies who require attention. The educator cannot erase the events of labour which the women found distressing, humiliating or terrifying, but having started them on a journey towards greater understanding of what happened, and why they were so deeply impacted, it is important to provide ongoing support and signpost towards community and professional resources. The first labour and birth may be seen by mothers and midwives as providing a template for subsequent labours.
