Birth & Reproductive Trauma
More than 30% of women view their births as traumatic.
Trauma can occur during labour, but also prior to pregnancy (e.g. infertility treatments, surrogacy, adoption process), during pregnancy (e.g. high-risk pregnancy, bedrest, adverse prenatal diagnosis, premature delivery, emergency c-section, pregnancy/ fetal complications, mood/anxiety concerns), and complications after birth (e.g. NICU care, medical complications in the mother, unmanaged pain, breastfeeding concerns).
When trauma occurs, the world as you had known it no longer exists. It no longer feels safe. It no longer feels predictable.
Both the birthing partner and the non-birthing partner can experience trauma during the journey to parenthood. Sometimes it is one single event that is traumatic, but at other times it is a combination of events (e.g. multiple failed IVF treatments). Birth and reproductive trauma is common, especially among women of colour who experience systematic oppression.
“But miscarriage is a traumatic loss, not only of the pregnancy, but of a woman's sense of self and her hopes and dreams of the future. She has lost her ‘reproductive story,' and it needs to be grieved.”
— Janet Jaffe, PhD
What does trauma look like?
Trauma looks different for everyone.
Triggers.
You may keep thinking about a distressing thought or image that reminds you of an earlier event or situation that left you feeling unsafe. Being reminded of this may leave you feeling unsafe all over again. You may find yourself trying to avoid any reminders.
Other symptoms.
Not able to remember parts of traumatic event
Thinking “why can’t just get over this?”
Low mood, anxiety, hypervigilence
Difficulty bonding with baby/ avoiding baby
Feeling disconnected from parts of self/ others
Feeling numb
Intense worrying
Shame/ anger/ irritability
Sleep/ concentration changes
Physical symptoms (e.g. digestion, breathing, heart rate)