Birth Trauma

One of the most important ways to promote birth trauma recovery is to protect sleep

We know that approximately 25 to 35 percent of women report that their child-birthing experiences were traumatic. We also know that male partners experience childbirth as traumatic, and LGBTQ2S birthing and non-birthing parents may have even higher rates of trauma because of systemic discrimination in healthcare. 

One of the most important ways to promote birth trauma recovery is to protect sleep. Working together as a team and bringing in others to help can be vital. Accessing perinatal mental health support and evidence-based treatment early on can be vital to positive recovery.

Birth trauma, as with all traumatic events, is not just the event itself but the way an individual perceives and makes sense of that event. 

Common experiences of birth trauma include:

• Dangerous or life-threatening circumstances for the birthing parent and/or baby

• Unexpected levels of pain

• Unwanted medical interventions

• Fear of dying

• Feeling humiliated, inadequate, or powerless

• A lack of control over one’s body or decision making

• Feeling abandoned and having a previous history of trauma

• Being separated from baby

Symptoms of birth trauma:

As with other forms of trauma, birth trauma can have a significant impact on one’s ability to function, which is especially difficult during the transition to parenthood. Symptoms of this include:

• Reliving the event as though it was occurring again.

• Nightmares

• Disturbed sleep or insomnia

• Feelings of anxiety and/or intrusive thoughts

• Difficulty bonding with the baby

• Breastfeeding challenges

• Depressed mood

Strategies to support birthing parents, especially after a negative birth event, can include:

• Validating their experience and grief from unmet hopes and expectations

• Paying close attention to their physical and comfort needs

• Respecting their need for privacy

• Limiting visitors

• Providing practical support

It is important for non-birthing parents who experience birth trauma to be supported as well. Non-birthing parents are often juggling many roles including supporting their partner, work responsibilities and increased responsibility in parenting older children and/or the new baby. During the postnatal period, and especially when there is birthing trauma involved, non-birthing parents are also vulnerable to depression and anxiety and find it hard to get the support they need. 

Strategies to support the non-birthing parent:

• Keep communication open between you both so you can find solutions together and talk through your experiences and grief

• It can be helpful for non-birthing parents to attend medical appointments with the birthing parent so they feel informed and not excluded. 

• Seek expert counselling together and individually if needed.

• Non-birthing parents should also engage in self-care activities as well as helping with the baby (and any other children). This will benefit the entire family.