Birth trauma

When birth leaves deep marks

Not every birth goes as hoped. Sometimes delivery leaves deep impressions that are still felt long after birth. This can be birth trauma: an overwhelming experience that affects you emotionally and sometimes physically.

At We Care Academy, we want you to know: what you feel is real, it is valid, and help is available.

What is birth trauma?

Birth trauma can occur when the delivery was experienced as threatening, unsafe, or overwhelming. This can be due to:

• an emergency caesarean or emergency situation
• feeling of losing control
• pain that was not adequately relieved
• feeling unheard or unseen
• fear for your own life or your baby's life
• a delivery that went very differently than expected

Trauma is not determined by what happened medically, but by how you experienced it.

How birth trauma can manifest

• reliving or flashbacks of the birth
• sleep problems or nightmares
• avoiding anything related to the birth
• startle responses or heightened alertness
• sadness, anger, or numbness
• difficulty bonding with your baby

You are not alone

Birth trauma is more common than you think. Many parents feel ashamed of their feelings or think they should be grateful because the baby is healthy. But you are allowed to feel what you feel. A healthy baby does not make a traumatic experience less real.

Seeking help

Birth trauma can be treated. Professional guidance, such as EMDR or trauma therapy, can help process the experience. The sooner you seek help, the better.

At We Care Academy, you will find information about birth trauma and opportunities to find suitable help. You don't have to carry this alone.