Birth Trauma

If a mom tells you that the delivery experience was scary, that it was unplanned, came earlier, involved a C-section when she wanted a vaginal birth, if she felt her life was in danger or that the baby’s life was in danger, or that she wasn’t listened to, or if she labored for many hours, she may have experienced birth trauma.

This can contribute to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She could be having flash backs, nightmares, or feelings of unease around the baby’s birthday.

If mom shares this with you, acknowledge how scary or hard that must have been. Let her know you can help her find someone to talk with. That this can be helpful in processing the experience.

Additionally here are some other resources we can offer her.

Books

Heal Your Birth, Heal Your Life a book on audible.

Healing Your Birth Story, a book on amazon.

Birth Listeners

Denise Padilla de Font, she is a birth listener. Moms can work with her to process their birth story to heal the trauma.

• Send her a text on Monday to ask how her weekend was. 

• Check in about the therapist. Ask her if she thinks it’s a good match.

• Share a support group, or remind or invite her to a support group. 

• Share an article or a podcast you think she might like.

• Ask some of the go-to check-in questions. How’s your mood this week? How’s the baby feeding? Or ask anything related to her main concerns. 

• If it is Friday, and this is your second check-in this week, remind her again about the importance of self-care,  and ask her if there is something she can do for herself this weekend? 

• Tell her you hope she has a beautiful weekend, and if she needs to talk she can always reach out to you.