Birth Trauma Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and the Journey to Healing
In Canada, 1 out of every 4 women who have forceps-delivered babies suffers from severe physical injuries, and 1 in every 8 women who have vacuum-delivered babies suffers the same. But new mothers also bear unseen scars, from emotional wounds to feeling helpless, silenced or in fear during delivery.
This is what we refer to as birth trauma. Although it is prevalent, it is not often spoken about, and parents end up quietly struggling with flashbacks, anxiety or even shame.
At KS Therapy Services, we believe that it’s time we change it the openness and narratives around birth trauma. Knowing what birth trauma is, why it happens and how therapy helps can facilitate recovery, families can begin the process of healing.
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma describes both physical and emotional injuries that happen during or following childbirth. Physical trauma is simpler to detect, but psychological birth trauma may be ignored – although its impact may persist long after the baby has arrived.
A mother may take a healthy newborn home from the hospital and yet be profoundly shaken by what happened. Birth trauma therapy serves to authenticate that experience, offers a therapeutic environment to work through emotions, memories and begin to heal.
Common Causes of Birth Trauma
Each birth is individual, but some things boost the chances of trauma occurring:
Medical Interventions: Forceps, vacuum or rush c-sections may be overwhelming and have long-term physical or emotional consequences.
Complications or Emergencies: When complications arise, parents experience loss of control and fear and anxiety.
Lack of Support: Being disregarded, ignored or unsupported by medical professionals during labour can leave a parent feeling unsafe.
Unmet Expectations: When a planned birth doesn't turn out as expected, disappointment may be combined with grief and anxiety.
We understand at KS Therapy Services that trauma doesn't always result from a big event – it can also result from small events where one feels powerless or unheard.
Recognizing Symptoms of Birth Trauma
Not all parents experience their birth in the same way. For some, the symptoms will show straight away, for some, they will emerge weeks or months later. Symptoms include:
Flashbacks or nightmares relating to the birth
Avoidance of reminders such as hospitals or discussing childbirth
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from self, baby or partner
Feeling anxious, irritable or hyper-vigilant
Sadness or feeling guilty about the birth
These are not weaknesses, they are the brain's way of reacting to trauma. The good news is, it is treatable.
The Path to Healing: Therapy and Counselling
Recovery from birth trauma is a process requiring time, patience and professional intervention. At KS Therapy Services, we provide evidence-based treatments tailored to individual client needs:
Birth Trauma Counselling: Where you can talk about your experience, get your feelings acknowledged and learn to cope in everyday life.
Trauma Focused Therapy: EMDR is one technique used to integrate the traumatic memory with a view to decreasing distress.
Partner Support: Birth trauma may also happen to the partners who have gone through a traumatic birth. Counselling provides techniques to work out these feelings as a couple.
Empathic Care: The premise of each session is empathy, with the belief and knowledge that healing is always an option.
We seek not only to relieve symptoms, but to restore a feeling of empowerment and connection for parents and families.
Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Birth trauma leaves painful emotional bruises, but it does not write your story. You can heal, reconnect and find peace with the right support.
At KS Therapy Services, we provide birth trauma therapy and counseling to help guide you through it all. If you or someone you care about is struggling following a traumatic birth, know that assistance is there for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Postpartum depression is characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness or inability to connect with the baby, birth trauma is associated with a traumatic birth. You may get both of them, and hence professional evaluation and counselling.
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If you discover you are sidestepping discussions of your birth, feeling disconnected emotionally or having intrusive recollections, then therapy can assist. Seeking therapy early can stop long-term issues.
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Yes. Most clients experience a remarkable improvement in their ability to integrate their birth experience once they have worked with a therapist. With KS Therapy Services, therapy is done at your comfort and pace level, facilitating trust rebuilding, resilience and peace of mind.
