Trauma
Postpartum Support International
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts approximately 9% of birthing people following childbirth.
This illness is often caused by a real or perceived trauma during delivery or postpartum. Traumas could include, but are not limited to:
- Prolapsed cord
- Unplanned C-section
- Use of vacuum extractor or forceps to deliver the baby
- Baby going to NICU
- Feelings of powerlessness, poor communication and/or lack of support and reassurance during the delivery
- People who have experienced a previous trauma, such as rape or sexual abuse, are also at a higher risk for experiencing postpartum PTSD
- People who have experienced a severe physical complication or injury related to pregnancy or childbirth, such as severe postpartum hemorrhage, unexpected hysterectomy, severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, perineal trauma (3rd or 4th degree tear), or cardiac disease
Symptoms of postpartum PTSD might include:
- Intrusive re-experiencing of a past traumatic event (which in this case may have been the childbirth itself)
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, including thoughts, feelings, people, places and details of the event
- Persistent increased arousal (irritability, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response)
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Feeling a sense of unreality and detachment
Prevention & Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth (PATTCh)
PATTCh is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of traumatic childbirth. They envision a world where all childbearing families - especially those who have experienced trauma - achieve optimal health and wellbeing.
Life After 4th Degree Tears
Approximately 6% of people giving birth will incur a 4th degree tear, often resulting in trauma. In 2018 while feeling isolated and unsupported after her own birth tear, Laura Fry created an online support group. She quickly learned she was not alone. In addition to building the support she needed, she also brought education, advocacy, and awareness to this issue on a national scale.
Check out the Website for education, private support groups, a podcast, resources, advocacy, and an international map of stories and professionals.
Facebook Public Page
Today's Parent published an article in 2019 that speaks to this topic, but also highlights the lack of resources and support, as the only support reference noted is Life After 4th Degree Tears support groups: What it’s like to have a fourth-degree tear—yup, right to your butt
Podcasts
Host Kayleigh is a therapist and brith trauma survivor. She aims to bring birth trauma out of the shadows as it's often seen as "the dark and sometimes scary side of pregnancy and postpartum no one wants to talk about." Check the episodes to find others who've had similar experiences to your own.
Mom & Mind - Healing from Birth Trauma and Postpartum Anxiety Ep. 233
A guest parent of two children shares their coping and recovery through traumatic birth and postpartum anxiety.
Mom & Mind - Healing from Tokophobia, PTSD and OCD with Rebecca McMartin Ep. 276
Rebecca McMartin, host of Perinatal Stories Australia podcast, joins Dr. Kat to talk about, among other things, the relief she found in writing and stories as a way to process her pain and grief.
Books
When Survivors Give Birth is written for a mixed audience of maternity care professionals and para-professionals, mental health therapists and counselors, and women survivors and their families. The authors expertly and compassionately address the unusual and distressing challenges that arise for abuse survivors during the childbirth experience.