Birthing Better

Birth trauma affects mothers, fathers and children. The impact of a negative or traumatic birth experience can last for years and even a lifetime.

The main goal of COST Action DEVOTION CA18211 is to connect a pan-European multidisciplinary network of birth trauma researchers. By connecting researchers across the world, CA18211 aims to accelerate what can be learned and shared amongst researchers.

Ultimately, CA18211 is working towards an ideal universal standard of care to prevent and minimise birth trauma and optimise birth experiences.

Covid Maternity Resource Toolkit (PDF, 539 KB)

New Research Publications

Short Term Scientific Mission

Training Materials

Keynote Speakers

Prof Soo Downe

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Positive birth experiences for long-term benefit: right care, right time, right relationships”

Prof Kim Thomas

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“How maternity care in the UK harms women - and how research helps us fight to improve it”

Prof Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg

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- "Social support in connection with birth may improve the progress and experience of birth and decrease the risk of postpartum traumatic experiences by modification of oxytocin release and the function of the oxytocin receptor. ”

Prof Dr med Sarah Kittel-Schneider

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'Risk Factors and Treatment of Perinatal Illness'

Prof Susanne King

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'Prenatal maternal hardship and traumatic stress from population-level disasters and the effects on the unborn child: What happens to you may be more important than how you react to it'