As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the story of the COST Action on Perinatal Mental Health and Birth-Related Trauma: Maximizing Best Practice and Optimal Outcomes (DEVOTION) serves as a powerful testament to how collaborative research can not only advance women’s health but also foster the next generation of women researchers. This initiative has worked tirelessly to understand birth trauma, optimize the birth experience, and create opportunities for emerging female researchers to thrive in their careers.
Breaking the Silence on Birth Trauma
Imagine the happiest moment of your life transforming into a traumatic nightmare. For thousands of women across Europe, the miracle of childbirth is marred by an experience that leaves scars long after they leave the hospital. Studies show that nearly one in three women in Europe experience some form of birth trauma. Despite its prevalence, birth-related trauma often goes unrecognized, leaving women to silently endure their pain, which is invisible yet deeply real. The impact extends beyond the mother, affecting her baby, her family, and society as a whole.
Under the leadership of Professor Joan Lalor from Trinity College Dublin, the DEVOTION Action has united researchers, clinicians, NGOs, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to address this critical yet often neglected issue. Professor Lalor highlights, “When working effectively across disciplines, there is always a fear that the professions will drift apart. That hasn’t happened in this Action — everyone is working equally and respectfully. Interdisciplinarity has so much potential when skills are maximized to achieve the best possible outcome.”
In an Action video, DEVOTION outlines key facts about perinatal mental health and the well-being of families following birth trauma, bringing attention to this important but often overlooked topic.
The Real-World Impact of Birth Trauma
5.1 million babies are born in the EU each year.
1 million new mothers in the EU report symptoms of post-traumatic stress after childbirth.
200,000 mothers are diagnosed with postnatal traumatic stress disorder annually.
4% of fathers also report post-traumatic stress symptoms after childbirth.
These statistics emphasize the significance of addressing birth-related trauma, which affects not only mothers but also families and communities.
One of DEVOTION’s most notable achievements has been bridging the gap between scientific research and clinical practice. Its training school on the intergenerational transmission of trauma has brought together midwives, psychologists, allied health professionals, and scientists, resulting in the development of three massive open online courses (MOOCs). These courses, which continue to educate healthcare professionals, include:
Trauma-Informed Care and Epigenetics
Epigenetics as a Lifelong Record of the Early-Life Environment
Birth Trauma from a Lifespan Perspective
The research from this Action has gained considerable recognition, with publications such as the Discussion Paper and Consensus Recommendations for Practice, Policy, and Research being cited in prominent journals like the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AJOG) and the British Birth Trauma Report. The influence of DEVOTION’s work extends beyond academia to clinical practices. For example, Turkey and Cyprus have implemented changes to antenatal care, and the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland has introduced a new prenatal and postpartum midwife-led consultation for couples.
Empowering Future Leaders in Research
For young women researchers, DEVOTION has been transformative. Lucija Prepušt, a Croatian psychologist, shares her experience: “As young researchers just starting our professional journeys, we often face challenges such as limited financial resources and a lack of connections, which can result in missed opportunities. Fortunately, being part of a COST Action allows us to overcome these obstacles and opens up avenues for growth. My involvement in COST Actions has been transformative, offering me knowledge, connections, skills, and experiences that will benefit me throughout my career and life in general.”
The Action has been particularly effective in supporting early career researchers, providing them with hands-on training and networking opportunities. Julika Johanna Hudson from Trinity College Dublin highlights the diverse learning experiences, such as the Action’s training schools, short-term scientific missions, and COST Academy training on social media. “The project I am most proud of is the co-production of leaflets for parents, practitioners, and policymakers. I also feel that my experience with COST will benefit me in my new role as a community midwife in a multidisciplinary team with a strong focus on infant mental health. I would highly recommend other early career researchers to participate in a COST Action.”
Dr. Gülcan Tecirli, from the Ministry of Health of Turkey, provides another example of DEVOTION’s impact. From being a doctoral student to co-leading a working group, her journey illustrates the Action’s commitment to developing women in leadership roles within research. “This experience allowed me to collaborate closely with internationally recognized researchers in the field of birth trauma. One of the publications we co-authored during this time has now become my most highly cited work,” she recalls.
More Than Just Colleagues: The DEVOTION Family
The success of DEVOTION is not only due to its scientific achievements but also the supportive community it has fostered. Professor Lalor shares a heartfelt testimonial from a colleague: “In the previous Actions, I developed my network; in DEVOTION, I developed lifelong friendships. The atmosphere in an Action is crucial to its success. We recognize that people are not just researchers/clinicians/service users; we are all human and looking for connection.”
Not the End, Just a New Beginning
DEVOTION’s legacy is far from over. The Action continues with follow-up initiatives such as the €4 million HORIZON Marie Curie Joint Doctoral Network (MCSA-JD) grant, focusing on Healthy Adaptation to Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Parenthood (HAP 3). This project will address the intergenerational prevention of obesity and mental health problems and train ‘Perinatal Care Innovators’ to support couples during the transition from pregnancy, through postpartum, and into early parenthood. Additionally, the TREASURE COST Action will continue to expand knowledge on the adverse effects of maternal stress, including prematurity, autism, and transgenerational impacts.
By bringing together diverse experts from various fields, DEVOTION is shaping the future of perinatal mental health, improving birth experiences, and empowering the next generation of female researchers to lead in this critical area of health.
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