Birth Scars, a manual on birth scars, body memory and obstetric trauma

Anna Maria Rossetti, member of the European project IPOV – Respectful Care, publishes Cicatrici di Nascita

The new volume in the Italian series “Gli Elementali” offers an obstetric and salutogenic perspective on birth scars, fascial tissue, trauma and the consequences of obstetric violence.

The European project IPOV – Respectful Care welcomes the publication of Cicatrici di Nascita / Birth Scars, the new manual by Anna Maria Rossetti, from the Scuola Elementale di Arte Ostetrica and member of the IPOV project, dedicated to birth scars, body memory and traumatic birth experiences.

Published as part of the “Gli Elementali” series, the manual is presented as a salutogenic guide to birth scars. Starting from the anatomy of the fascia, scar tissue and palpation, the book provides tools for professionals working with the body, touch and therapeutic relationships, especially in contexts related to childbirth, the postpartum period, rehabilitation and trauma-informed care.

The manual addresses scars resulting from experiences such as episiotomy, spontaneous tears and caesarean section, proposing an approach that integrates the anatomical, emotional, existential and relational dimensions of these bodily marks. From this perspective, scars are understood not only as physical changes in tissue, but also as possible sites of body memory linked to the birth experience, the care received and, in some cases, situations of obstetric violence.

Cicatrici di Nascita is intended for midwives, osteopaths, prenatal psychologists, pelvic floor physiotherapists and other professionals working with the body, therapeutic touch and co-regulation. The book presents the Rossetti Method for learning fascial listening and integrating scars, with a practical approach designed for professionals who wish to accompany these processes in a respectful, informed and sensitive way.

The main sections include:

• Why an obstetric model
• Fascia and the autonomic nervous system
• Memory, trauma and trauma-related PTSD
• The Rossetti Method for learning fascial listening
• Decalogue of a scar
• The Rossetti Method for scar integration
• The 10 phases of the Rossetti Method
• A practical guide for beginners
• Obstetric violence
• Bibliography

The manual has 160 printed pages and includes access to instructional videos. It is currently available for pre-order, with a special price of €59.49 during the printing phase. The exact delivery date is not yet available, although it may vary between June and July.

For IPOV – Respectful Care, this publication represents an important contribution to the international debate on respectful maternity care, as it places birth scars within a broader understanding of the body, memory, trauma and repair. The book connects with one of the project’s central lines of work: making visible the consequences of obstetric violence and promoting models of care based on dignity, listening, evidence and respect for women’s experiences.

About IPOV – Respectful Care

IPOV – Respectful Care is a European project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The project brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and international specialists to study, prevent and transform obstetric violence, while promoting models of respectful maternity care.

About Anna Maria Rossetti

Anna Maria Rossetti is part of the Scuola Elementale di Arte Ostetrica and a member of the IPOV – Respectful Care project. Her work focuses on an integrated obstetric perspective on the body, the birth experience, body memory and the respectful accompaniment of birth scars.