I had a difficult pregnancy experience with food aversions, heightened sense of smell, metallic taste in my mouth, constant nausea, and acid reflux. Despite my challenges, I looked forward to the birth, hoping for a redemptive experience. I had carefully chosen a caring midwife practice and a compassionate doula to support my birth preferences for an unmedicated vaginal birth. However, at 34 weeks, I developed preeclampsia and had to undergo a C-section for the safety of my baby and myself.
The birth didn’t go as planned, and I left the hospital feeling fragile and numb, unsure of how to describe my experience. Now, looking back, I realize I experienced birth trauma. Birth trauma can happen when a distressing event during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum overwhelms your ability to cope. It can be physical, emotional, or interpersonal.
Physical trauma during birth can involve serious injuries to you or your baby or complications in delivery. Emotional trauma can stem from feeling unsupported, unsafe, or helpless during childbirth. Care-related interpersonal trauma can occur when you feel mistreated by healthcare providers.
Unfortunately, birth trauma is common, with as many as 1 in 3 people reporting trauma symptoms after birth. Certain groups, like those with a history of trauma or marginalized communities, are at a higher risk. Symptoms of birth trauma can affect your mental health, physical health, and relationships in the short and long term.
It’s important to recognize and address birth trauma to begin the healing process and ensure the well-being of both the birthing person and their baby.
