Birth Trauma Awareness Week
The Birth Trauma Association - in both the UK and Australia - have a birth trauma awareness week every year.
This year, it will be held July 15-21.
The theme is Informed Consent.
Up to 45% of birth parents report their birth as traumatic.
There can be ‘Big T’ traumas (e.g., death, natural disasters) and ‘little t’ traumas (e.g., feeling abandoned, lack of control).
Cheryl Beck, a pioneer in researching childbirth trauma, says trauma is in the “eye of the beholder”. Beck’s research has shown that ‘little t’ traumas in childbirth can look like:
-Perception of lack of caring (e.g., felt abandoned, stripped of dignity, lack of support and reassurance)
-Poor communication (e.g., felt invisible, not heard, not important)
-Feeling of powerlessness (e.g., betrayal of trust, didn’t feel protect by staff, lack of control)
The theme I hear from postpartum people I have worked with is how traumatic it felt when birth was happening TO them, rather than feeling like an active participant in their birth.
It is so common, and normal, to go into your birth believing it will be this beautiful, transformational experience.
Many times it is.
Many times it is not.
And when you experience the latter, it can be so jarring, and drastically impact a person as they enter into parenthood.
4% of birth parents, and even up to 18.5% of those in high risk groups (e.g., current depression in the birth parent, history of mental illness, and infant complications), develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
If you are reading this and feel you may be struggling with birth trauma and/or postpartum PTSD, please know…
You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.
Call or text Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
Download the Connect by PSI App
Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
In a crisis situation, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
Visit postpartum.net for additional programs and resources, including FREE online support groups!
