How do women with a history of childhood sexual abuse experience the preconception and perinatal period? A qualitative systematic review
Ramírez-Gil, Claudia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Selva, Anna (Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari. Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT))
Gallego Barrero, Marta (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa)
Muñoz Hidalgo, Natalia (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa)
Martínez Bueno, Cristina (Universitat de Barcelona)
Solà Arnau, Ivan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Pediatria, d’Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i de Medicina Preventiva i Salut Pública)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	Context: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a public health issue that predominantly affects women and has both short- and long-term consequences. The perinatal period can represent a challenge, but also an opportunity to identify a history of CSA and to provide sensitive care that may help prevent the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Aim: To describe and understand the experiences and coping strategies of women who are survivors of child sexual abuse and are transitioning to motherhood. Method: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies according to a protocol registered in PROSPERO, following methodological standards and reporting the results according to the ENTREQ guideline. A search was conducted on five databases up to July 2025. Two authors independently selected the articles and assessed their methodological quality. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis and the confidence in the findings was evaluated according to GRADE-CERQual. Results: We included 21 qualitative studies that resulted in six themes. The findings reveal how women who experienced child sexual abuse and are transitioning to motherhood may experience this stage with ambivalence-ranging from revictimisation to identity reconstruction-where perinatal care emerges as a potential healing vehicle throughout this process. Conclusions: The perinatal period becomes a window of opportunity to heal deep wounds, with perinatal care playing a key role. The findings support trauma-informed perinatal care, underpinned by reflective practice and a holistic approach. Further work is needed to improve the identification of child sexual abuse, enhance professional training and review current practices to ensure sensitive care.
Note:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article de revisió ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Child abuse, sexual ; Pregnancy ; Postnatal care ; Maternal health services
Published in:	Midwifery, Vol. 162 (November 2026) , art. 104930, ISSN 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2026.104930

15 p, 1.6 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Parc Taulí Research and Innovation Institute (I3PT
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles