Early parenthood is a time of immense change, vulnerability, and adjustment. For many families, the transition can feel equally joyful and overwhelming. During this period, healthcare professionals are often the first and most frequent points of contact. The words you choose, the way you listen, and how you respond can have a lasting impact - not only on how parents experience care in the moment, but also on their longer-term wellbeing.
This article highlights three core features of compassionate care - active listening, the power of language, and compassionate responses - and offers practical ways to embed them into everyday practice.
- Pause and allow space: Even a short moment of silence after a parent speaks can invite them to share more.
- Reflect: Phrases such as, “It sounds like you’re feeling…” demonstrate that you are listening and trying to understand.
- Ask open questions: “How are you finding things emotionally?” can open the door to conversations that a closed “Are you coping?” might shut down.
2. The Power of Language
Words matter. They can heal, reassure, and empower - or they can wound, dismiss, and silence. In perinatal care, this applies not only to how professionals speak to parents, but also to how they speak about them in clinical settings. The language used in notes, handovers, and professional discussions shapes the culture of care and influences how parents are ultimately treated and perceived.
Choose language that is:
- Non-judgemental: Avoid labels such as “failed VBAC*”, say “had caesarean after labouring”. Instead of “refusing intervention,” use “choosing to wait.”
- Person-centred: Speak about and to parents as unique individuals, not “the caesarean in bed 3.” or “the geriatric mother”.
- Strength-focused: Highlight resilience, effort, and achievements to counter self-criticism and shame.
Studies show that negative or dismissive language during maternity care is associated with poorer emotional outcomes and heightened risk of postnatal mental health difficulties.3,4 Conversely, language that validates and empowers parents contributes to positive birth memories and confidence in parenting.5
3. Compassionate Responses: Meeting Distress with Humanity
When parents express distress, professionals may feel pressure to “fix” the problem quickly. Yet often, what parents need first is acknowledgment and compassion. A simple, human response - “I can hear how hard this feels” creates space for emotions to be expressed.
Compassionate responses involve three key elements:
- Recognition: Naming distress, even when it is subtle.
- Validation: Letting parents know their feelings are understandable and legitimate.
- Supportive action: Offering appropriate help, whether that is reassurance, information, or referral to specialist services.
Importantly, compassionate care does not mean professionals must absorb or solve all parental distress. Rather, it is about being present, responding with empathy, and guiding parents to the right support. This balance protects both parental wellbeing and professional resilience.6,7
Every Interaction is an Opportunity
Healthcare professionals often underestimate the power of brief encounters. A passing comment, a few minutes of listening, or a validating response can become anchors for parents in an otherwise overwhelming time. Compassionate care does not always require extra time - it often requires a shift in focus, from task to relationship.
By embedding active listening, careful language, and compassionate responses into routine practice, you can:
- Enhance parental trust and engagement.
- Reduce stigma and silence around emotional struggles.
- Protect against the escalation of distress into longer-term mental health difficulties.
When you bring compassion to your words and actions, you do more than deliver healthcare - you promote resilience, connection, and hope.
Key Takeaways for Practice
- Active listening creates space for disclosure and builds trust.
- Language matters: choose words that empower rather than shame.
- Compassionate responses validate emotions and offer guidance to support.
- Every interaction counts: even brief moments can have lasting impact.
Published in January 2026. This article was created in collaboration with an expert who received compensation from MAM.
References
1. McCauley K, Actis Danna V, Rouleau G, et al. Listening to women: experiences of maternity care in Canada. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018;18(1):336.
2. Redshaw M, Henderson J. Mothers’ experience of maternity care in England: initial findings from a national survey. Oxford: NPEU. 2015.
3. Reed R, Sharman R, Inglis C. Women’s descriptions of childbirth trauma relating to care provider actions and interactions. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17:21.
4. Bohren MA, Vogel JP, Hunter EC, et al. The mistreatment of women during childbirth in health facilities globally: a mixed-methods systematic review. PLoS Med. 2015;12(6):e1001847.
5. Thomson G, Downe S. Widening the trauma discourse: the link between childbirth and experiences of abuse. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2008;29(4):268–273.
6. Sinclair S, Norris JM, McConnell SJ, et al. Compassion: a scoping review of the healthcare literature. BMC Palliat Care. 2016;15:6.
7. Devlin AM, O’Boyle C, Walker S. An exploration of compassion in maternity care. Midwifery. 2020;88:102760.