July 19-25 is Birth Trauma Awareness Week.
As a doula, we love when births are positive and empowering. However, many aspects of birth are so unpredicatble. Over these past few months, we`ve talked to parents who struggled with how the birth ended up, how they were treated in birth, extended family opinions, and more.
Not every difficult birth is traumatic, and not every traumatic birth looks the same. Birth trauma is personal and can happen after a vaginal birth, cesarean birth, uncomplicated birth, or a medically complex one. Also, birth trauma can happen to either parent and/or anyone present at the birth.
Sometimes birth trauma is related to a medical emergency. Other times, it`s about how someone was treated, whether they felt heard, informed, respected, or safe during their birth experience.
If your birth still feels heavy weeks, months, or even years later, you`re not alone.
Questions worth reflecting on:
• Am I avoiding reminders of my birth experience?
• Do I feel anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed when I think about my birth?
• Do I find myself replaying what happened over and over?
• Would talking with a mental health therapist help me process my experience?
• Would a trauma-informed therapist trained in EMDR be a good fit for me?
Healing is possible, and asking for support is a sign of strength.
If you`re looking for support, we highly recommend Postpartum Support International (PSI). They offer free virtual Birth Trauma Support Groups led by trained peer facilitators, educational resources, and referrals to perinatal mental health professionals. Simply Google "PSI Birth Trauma" or download the app to get started.
#BirthTraumaAwarenessWeek #BirthTrauma #PostpartumSupportInternational #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalMentalHealth #EMDR #TraumaInformedCare #TheIowaBabyLadies #DesMoinesDoula #IowaDoula #BirthSupport
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