The acronym SIGEL stands for “Safe Childbirth in Vulnerable Living Conditions.” The project focuses on how pregnant individuals in vulnerable life situations can be better supported and cared for. Pregnant people are considered particularly vulnerable when they are exposed to social, economic, or health-related stressors. This includes, for example, women who have fled to Germany or who have experienced violence. If the specific needs of these women are not adequately addressed in medical and midwifery care, the risk of health complications increases, including higher rates of mortality and morbidity among both mothers and newborns.
SIGEL aims to examine the ethical, legal, and social implications of caring for pregnant women in vulnerable circumstances. The project seeks to open up a discourse that has so far been marginalized, to inform the public, and to contribute to greater societal awareness of women’s, maternal, and child health in Germany. At its core is the perspective of the pregnant individuals themselves, which is often underrepresented in both public and academic discussions. Through dialogue with affected women, SIGEL highlights existing gaps in care while also engaging in a critical examination of stigmatizing categories.
To implement this, the project develops research ethics standards and methods specifically tailored to working with people in vulnerable life situations. Narrative cafés provide a space for exchange with affected women. The insights gained are then further developed in workshops together with experts from midwifery science, women’s support organizations, and the healthcare sector. Through a participatory process, these efforts culminate in a theater production and an app for midwifery education and practice is being developed, featuring case studies, guidelines, and checklists. These outputs are designed to contribute to long-term improvements in care.
For the first time, SIGEL initiates a comprehensive discussion on the specific risks and needs of vulnerable pregnant individuals and the midwives who care for them, with the aim of sustainably improving healthcare provision.
Within SIGEL, the IZEW is responsible for the methodological reflection on ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). This includes ensuring and developing research ethics standards and methods, particularly in working with vulnerable groups. Furthermore, IZEW supports the participatory processes from an ethical perspective and contributes its expertise in science communication, especially in relation to vulnerable populations.
