For Women Who Have a History of Sexual Abuse, a Number

For women who have a history of sexual abuse, a number of traumatic memories may be triggered during labor. The woman may fight the labor process and react with pain or anger. Alternately she may become a passive player and emotionally absent herself from the process. The nurse is in a unique position of being able to assist the woman to associate the sensations of labor with the process of childbirth and not the past abuse. The nurse can implement a number of care measures to help the woman view the childbirth experience in a positive manner. Which intervention would be key for the nurse to use while providing care?

A) Telling the woman to relax and that it won't hurt much
B) Limiting the number of procedures that invade her body
C) Reassuring the woman that as the nurse you know what is best
D) Allowing unlimited care providers to be with the woman