The birth of a baby can be one of the most joyous moments in a parent's life. However, the journey to parenthood can sometimes be fraught with challenges. While parents hope to have a positive childbirth experience, there are times when the events surrounding childbirth can create psychological or emotional distress and be perceived as traumatic. Birth trauma is a significant issue that affects up to 45% of new mothers, leaving them struggling with emotions and memories that can overshadow the joy of their new arrival.
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma refers to an event occurring during the labor and delivery process that involves actual or threatened serious injury or death to the birthing parent or their infant. These distressing events can lead to a range of psychological and emotional symptoms that can significantly impact a parent's mental health and overall well-being.
Symptoms of Birth Trauma
Symptoms of birth trauma can include feelings of sadness, grief, anxiety, irritability, anger, nightmares, and flashbacks. Birthing parents may find themselves trying to avoid thoughts, memories, or reminders of the birth. These symptoms can become overwhelming and affect a birthing parent's ability to function normally.
Birth trauma is different from other postpartum mental health conditions, such as baby blues, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. The baby blues include feelings of tearfulness and irritability; however, symptoms typically peak within two weeks after delivery and resolve soon after without treatment. Postpartum anxiety is characterized by generalized excessive worry, and postpartum depression can include symptoms such as sadness, tearfulness, feeling overwhelmed, and difficulty sleeping. In contrast, symptoms of birth trauma develop in response to and center around the traumatic birth event(s).
What Causes Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma is a complex and subjective experience, meaning that the events experienced during childbirth can be perceived differently by each birthing parent. Many factors can contribute to a traumatic birthing experience, and understanding these factors can help in recognizing and addressing birth trauma.
Risk Factors For Birth Trauma
Mismatch of Expectations and Experience: When the actual birth experience significantly deviates from the birthing parent's expectations or birth plan, it can lead to feelings of disappointment, frustration, or inadequacy. This mismatch between what was expected and what occurred can exacerbate the trauma.
Emergency Cesarean Delivery:Â When an emergency cesarean is required, it often means that there were unexpected complications during the birth. The sudden need for surgical intervention can be frightening and overwhelming, contributing to symptoms of birth trauma.
You or Your Baby Suffering an Injury: Injuries to the birthing parent or baby can result in significant physical pain, requiring medical interventions and prolonged recovery periods. This can be physically exhausting and emotionally distressing for the birthing parent. Further, the uncertainty about the baby's health or the birthing parent's own recovery can add to the emotional distress.
Birth Complications: During childbirth, birthing parents may feel a loss of control over the situation, especially when faced with unexpected complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage or an extended hospital stay. This feeling of helplessness can contribute to psychological distress.
Separation from Infant in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU):Â When a baby is born prematurely or with complications, they may need to be cared for in the NICU. This separation can be incredibly distressing for parents, as they are unable to hold or care for their newborn in the way they had anticipated.
Coping with Birth Trauma
Coping with birth trauma is a complex and deeply personal journey. Finding effective coping strategies can help parents begin to move forward and embrace the joys of parenthood.
Acknowledging the Trauma
The first step in coping with birth trauma is acknowledging that the trauma exists. This can be difficult, as societal expectations often pressure parents to feel only joy and gratitude following the birth of a child. However, recognizing that trauma has occurred is vital for moving forward. Talking openly about the experience with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional can help validate these feelings and begin the healing process.
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Seeking Professional Help
Professional help may be needed for parents coping with birth trauma. Therapists specializing in perinatal mental health can provide valuable support and strategies for managing symptoms. Various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), have been shown to be effective in treating trauma-related conditions.
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Building a Support Network
Having a solid support network can be helpful for parents dealing with birth trauma. Support groups, both in-person and online, can provide a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences with others who have gone through similar situations can reduce feelings of isolation and provide practical advice for coping.
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Self-Care and Mindfulness
Practicing self-care is essential for anyone dealing with trauma. This includes taking time for activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, and adequate rest. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can also help manage anxiety and stress.
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Communicating with Healthcare Providers
Effective communication with healthcare providers is essential for parents who have experienced birth trauma. Preparing a detailed birth plan for subsequent pregnancies, if applicable, and discussing any concerns or lingering fears with doctors and midwives can help parents feel more in control and reduce anxiety.
How Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching Supports Parents with Birth Trauma
At Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching, we deeply understand that experiencing birth trauma can be one of the most challenging and isolating experiences a parent can face. We want you to know that you are not alone in this journey. Our team is here to support you with compassionate, evidence-based therapy tailored to address the emotional and psychological impacts of birth trauma. We recognize the intense emotions and struggles you may be dealing with, and our goal is to help you process your trauma, manage stress and anxiety, and rebuild your sense of control and self-confidence. We are dedicated to walking alongside you through this incredibly difficult time, offering the empathy, support, and guidance you need to heal and find joy in parenthood once again.
Meet Ryanne Schaad
Ryanne Schaad is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology (PsyD) program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She received her bachelor's (BS) and master's (MS) degrees from Saint Joseph's University.
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Ryanne's interests are focused on reproductive health psychology. She currently works in a research lab that examines reproductive health, with an emphasis on psychological responses to stressful reproductive events such as infant admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and birth trauma.
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Ryanne is particularly passionate about helping patients cope with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and stressful reproductive events, including infertility, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, and NICU admission. She primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as other evidence-based interventions.
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Ryanne was born and raised in Ocean County, New Jersey, and enjoys running and spending time at the beach. Her compassionate approach and specialized expertise make her a valuable resource for parents dealing with the emotional aftermath of traumatic birthing experiences.
Schedule an individual counseling session with Ryanne or any of our psychologists, today!
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