Women’s experiences of child protection involvement during pregnancy: A scoping review

Background Growing international concern surrounds the consistently high number of infants removed from their families, with a disproportionate impact on marginalised communities. Objectives The review aims to explore recent literature that highlights the lived experiences of women who have had child protection involvement during. Method A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases along with citation searches of relevant articles, identifying 6 publications published between 2010 and 2025, drawing on qualitative accounts of mothers’ experiences with child protection during pregnancy. Results Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) avoidance of health and welfare services; (2) deficit-oriented systemic practices; and (3) mothers’ unaddressed underlying issues. Conclusion Findings highlight the profound impact of child protection involvement on mothers, including service avoidance, cumulative disadvantage, and missed opportunities for early intervention. The review underscores the urgent need for trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and relational approaches to child protection that address both infant safety and maternal wellbeing. Systemic reform and collaborative practice are essential to break cycles of disadvantage and improve outcomes for families and communities.