Evaluating training in Psychological First Aid for Birth Trauma for people working in maternity and perinatal care.

Psychological First Aid for Birth Trauma (PFA-B) is an evidence-informed, trauma-informed training program designed to equip people working in maternity and perinatal care with the knowledge and practical skills to provide appropriate early psychological support following a difficult or traumatic birth. The intervention comprises 4 hours of training delivered in a single 4 hour format or two 2-hour sessions. Training is delivered face-to-face or online via videoconferencing in a group format (approximately 10–20 participants). The training is delivered by Dr Lucy Frankham, a Clinical Psychologist, Accredited EMDR Consultant, birth trauma researcher, and developer of PFA-B, with expertise in perinatal mental health and trauma-informed care. Participants receive a PFA-B training manual and supporting clinical resources developed specifically for this study, based on current evidence and best-practice guidelines in trauma-informed care, Psychological First Aid, and perinatal mental health. Training includes didactic teaching, clinical examples, facilitated discussion, reflective activities, and practical communication strategies. The curriculum consists of seven modules: • Module 1: The evidence for Psychological First Aid for Birth Trauma and why routine psychological debriefing is no longer recommended. • Module 2: Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and birth trauma. • Module 3: Psychological First Aid for Birth Trauma (PFA-B), including the aims of Psychological First Aid, differences between debriefing and Psychological First Aid, and the principles and characteristics of PFA-B. • Module 4: Core Skills A: active listening, self-regulation and emotional awareness, validation and empathy, strengths-based practice, and trauma-informed language and communication. • Module 5: Core Skills B: facilitating appropriate support needs, cultural and contextual competence, perinatal mental health literacy, reproductive grief literacy, and reflective practice and peer support. • Module 6: Additional clinical considerations when providing Psychological First Aid following birth trauma. • Module 7: Skills practice through clinical scenarios and discussion. The intervention is standardised using a facilitator manual, presentation slides and supporting resources. Training is delivered by the same facilitator using standardised materials to maximise intervention fidelity. The content is not individually tailored, although discussion and case examples may be adapted to participants' professional roles while maintaining the standardised curriculum.