Birth trauma is a term that describes the intensely stressful feelings experienced by those who have suffered or witnessed a traumatic birth.
What is a traumatic birth?
A traumatic birth is a birth that did not happen as visualised and planned for by the expecting parents. It may be that the baby arrived prematurely, that the birth was expedited due to health issues, that surgical interventions were required, or that the baby or mother required surgery after birth.
There are many reasons why birth can be a traumatic experience, and it is deeply personal for each individual who suffers or witnesses a traumatic birth.
Important statistics
Up to one-third of new mothers report that the birth was a traumatic experience for them with up to 5% of new mums being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic birth.
Birth trauma not only affects mothers, with up to 1% of birth partners likewise affected and suffering many of the same symptoms.
PTSD symptoms
PTSD symptoms include prolonged anxiety, flashbacks, vivid nightmares, hypervigilance, and unexplainable sadness. Many people with PTSD require specialist support to help them rediscover joy in life; fortunately, there are many mental health training courses Blackpool and across the country designed to help in this area.
Overcoming birth trauma
Many women who have suffered birth trauma report that the experience was worsened by poor communication and neglect from health professionals. It is vital that the medical industry learns from this and implements rigorous measures to ensure informed consent is sought during labour and birth.
Talking about the experience can help to relieve the stress symptoms that parents are suffering from. Organisations such as www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/blackpool are specialists in this area and can help professional practitioners to assist parents in replacing their negative associations with positive plans for the future, emerging stronger and more resilient.
Appropriate training can assist professionals in enabling patients to discuss mental health, and there is clearly a need to support parents suffering from PTSD as a result of a traumatic birth.