Sexual assault is a traumatizing experience in the lives of women who have survived it. It impacts them on an emotional, spiritual, physical, sexual and mental level. Regardless of the circumstances of the assault, women are often left with the sense that they are somehow to blame and responsible, and with feelings of shame and confusion.

As a sexual assault survivor, you may not be aware of how this past experience may come up during your pregnancy, labour and childbirth, and postpartum. The lingering effects of the trauma may be minimal for you, or on the contrary there may be profound and on-going impacts that continue to surface during the childbearing year.

Pregnant survivors of sexual assault or sexual violence may feel:

• that their bodies are dirty and shameful
• that their babies are at risk from the "filth"
• that their babies can sense that something bad has happened to them and therefore something bad will happen to the developing baby
• that their bodies are no longer healthy
• that if they couldn't protect themselves from the assault(s) then they won't be able to protect their babies
• that the idea of nursing a baby is repulsive

Women survivors of sexual assault sometimes feel as though people do not understand the lifelong impact that a sexual assault(s) can have on their lives. As a woman who was sexually assaulted, you may have unique needs in the childbearing year that are important for those around you to understand and accommodate when possible. Please refer to the Helpful Suggestions section for more information on what you can do to receive proper care for yourself and your baby.

Remember...

• you were not to blame, nothing you did, wore, drank etc... gave permission for another person(s) to assault you
• there are people who care about what has happened to you. Connect with a sexual assault centre in your community for specialized services for survivors of sexual violence
• sexual violence is all too common and there are others who feel like you... you are not alone

You can't rush the process...remind yourself that while your body may feel like a place of hurt and pain, your baby is growing in a nurturing and safe place. You are doing the best you can be doing for yourself by seeking out information and trying to make positive choices.

We want you to know that you can overcome the impacts of sexual violence. We encourage you to speak with knowledgeable and supportive people and give yourself the time you need to heal emotionally and physically from your experience.