Childbirth should be a happy event, however according to the website www.cope.org.au
1 in 3, women and their families can experience birth trauma, this can be a deeply personal and subjective experience. 8/10 women have reported that their mental health was affected. It may or may not include physical injury but results in psychological distress.
Women who are traumatised by childbirth, have an increased incidence of developing several psychosocial difficulties in the postpartum period, such as relationship breakdown, difficulty bonding, parenting stress, lack of identity, and PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, feelings of anxiety and anger. Women can become fearful of future childbirth, and therefore this can influence decisions regarding the consideration of having future pregnancies.
Birth Trauma can include the impact of physical injuries including; tearing, infection, post-surgical wound complications, bladder damage, and fistulas.
Psychological Trauma, may result in shock, difficulties coping, feeling dismissed, ignored, misdiagnosed, and symptoms of clinical depression and anxiety. Difficulty sleeping, feelings of anger, guilt, shame, fear, pain, a sense of isolation and low self-esteem.
Predisposing factors can be increased by lack of social support, difficulties with coping strategies, feelings of powerlessness, extreme and constant pain, perceptions of hostile uncaring staff, loss of control, medical intervention, lack of information and past traumatic birth.
I have spent a lot of my career working with women and their families both in a nursing role and as a therapist, I have been a Midwife, Health Visitor in the UK, and Maternal Child Health Nurse in Australia, and now practising as a trained therapist with a clear understanding of the impacts of birth trauma. If you are reading this and recognising some of the feelings and experiences, I would be happy to work with you and your partner.
References and further support
https://birthtrauma.org.au/what-is-birth-trauma
https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au
https://www.perinatalwellbeingcentre.org.au