WEBINAR: Trauma-Informed Birth Support for Survivors of Abuse

Pregnant women’s experiences and needs for emotional support, physical well-being, access to healthcare and other community-based services are significantly different from women who are not pregnant. For pregnant women also dealing with past or current domestic violence and currently residing in a domestic violence shelter or safe house, the multitude of experiences and needs may be even greater.

This webinar provides information on the impact of trauma in pregnancy and childbirth and outlines how a partnership between advocates and birth workers in the community may be of benefit to pregnant survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Together, victim advocacy and doula skills can set in motion a new beginning for healthier relationships between survivors of abuse and their newborns.

Featured Speakers:

• Kenya Fairley, MSEd., (CD)DONA is a practicing doula with experience, knowledge and education related to childbirth and supporting pregnant survivors of abuse. Building on over 15 years of experience as a strong, compassionate advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Kenya brings an empowering, feminist perspective to her doula practice. She believes in thoughtful planning, education and relationship building to ensure a positive and satisfying birth experience for every family she serves.
• Fern Gilkerson joined the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) in 2010 with an attention to intersections between health and domestic violence. Before coming to PCADV, Fern was on staff at Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County. Fern has a graduate degree from Antioch University in Women¹s Studies with a focus on multicultural feminist teaching methodologies and has worked as a professional birth assistant. She serves as part of the PCADV Prevention Team and PCADV’s Project Connect 2.0, which focused on adolescent reproductive health, abuse and coercion.