ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the origins of psychological debriefing, its adoption into maternity care and demystifies the debate around debriefing women post-partum. Offering an alternative model, the chapter uses evidence to inform how a listening type of service like birth afterthoughts can be used effectively and safely post-partum. Drawing on the psychology of normal cognitive processing following trauma the chapter informs healthcare professionals how to support women who are distressed immediately post-birth, including recognition of what is normal. The chapter provides a framework on how and when to conduct a birth afterthoughts service and how to structure the session including example narrative on how to frame responses. The experience of fathers and the exposure to birth trauma are also discussed. Case studies are used throughout to further inform the content and to provide context.
