Birth Trauma (Is this a “thing?”)
Not only is it a “thing,” it is prevalent - over 30% of women report having had a traumatic birth (or perinatal) experience, and professionals are just beginning to realize the impact. Trauma may be a result of medical complications or unplanned emergency procedures. Or it may be that you had an uncomplicated, medically “normal” birth, yet you have not been able to process and integrate some disturbing experiences. Trauma is not about what happened, but about how your brain has stored it.
Trauma symptoms may include reliving the experience as if it is happening now along with all the distress and anxiety, sometimes triggered by specific environmental cues or thoughts. You may experience difficulty sleeping, a feeling of disconnection, numbness or depression. You may be anxious, irritable, and feel like you are on high alert ready for any possible danger, real or imagined. It may be that intrusive memories, dreams or flashbacks come when you least expect. You may feel that something is “just not right.”
You may be fresh postpartum, or it may be years after you have given birth, yet are still plagued with disturbing thoughts as if it were yesterday. These symptoms can disrupt attachment and bonding with your infant. Your other relationships may become strained. You may feel out of control and like everything you do is affected.
And sometimes it is Significant Others that experience the trauma, not necessarily the mom.
Some women feel guilty that this is happening. This does NOT mean that you don’t love your baby and family, and are not grateful for a positive outcome. The real shame is if you don’t get the help you need!
You are not alone!