When childbirth feels like rape

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Published February 28, 2023

STAT, a health-focused media outlet, reported that about one-third of women experience trauma during childbirth. Those who had been previously sexually assaulted were more likely to have complications or be re-traumatized by their labor and delivery experience. 

“Unless we’re making time for this, and we have interventions in place to address it, nothing’s going to change,” said Mickey Sperlich, assistant professor in the UB School of Social Work.

"I think we need to treat everyone as if they are potentially survivors.”