Relationship strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration. Improving maternity care with survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Women's health care providers are being challenged to screen for and respond to the effects of abuse and violence in their clinical practices. Many feel poorly equipped to do so. Addressing the impact of a history of childhood sexual abuse on the survivor client's experience of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum adjustment is a particularly challenging task. Professionals from several disciplines experienced in working with trauma survivors responded to a case study. Valuable points common to all six case respondents focused on strategies to use to improve communication and relationships with survivor clients. These health care providers also advocate interdisciplinary collaboration.