What is birth trauma?
When we hear the word “trauma” we often think of very dramatic events that lead to things like PTSD; we naturally think of wars, incidents such as the World Trade Centre, Christchurch earthquake, and other serious events. Sometimes people mention triggers in social media posts, perhaps referring to events from childhood.
Definitions of trauma refer to a specific event or stressor as the precursor for trauma, but we also know that the same event can cause different reactions in different people, some don’t seem to be traumatised at all. A history of previous trauma may make some people more prone to feeling traumatised by future events. Sometimes trauma is caused not by a single event at all, but by an ongoing situation that doesn’t stop. We also know that a person can be traumatised by hearing about an event, even though they haven’t necessarily witnessed it themselves, for example finding out about a traumatic event that a relative or close friend was exposed to, or for those working in certain fields, observing someone else’s traumatic event.
We can all witness a traumatic event and feel stressed and anxious about it; we may have trouble sleeping and withdraw from our social lives for a while, but over a relatively short time, the stress dissipates and we can put the event behind us. However, sometimes this doesn’t happen, and we become traumatised by what happened.
When it comes to birth trauma though, what do we mean? We imagine that if someone has a difficult birth they will automatically be offered some support, some kind of debrief. But what is a difficult birth? What seems like a difficult birth for one person, may not be for another.
Everyone focusses on the arrival of the new baby. Yay, the baby is here! You have no right to feel stressed out, you should be grateful to have a healthy baby. Most new parents want to the put the birth behind them and get on with learning to parent their baby. And everyone else feels the same. They don’t want to hear about your tricky story, or how you feel sad that you didn't have the birth you wanted, or - shock horror - that you don’t feel that attached to or in love with your new baby.
So you try to move on, put it behind you, pretend it’s not happening. It’s all ok. Your baby is healthy, you should be grateful. But it doesn't go away. It gets pushed down only to be triggered by other events, a flashback, a dream (or nightmare), a smell that reminds you of what happened, a sound, a colour… or when you become pregnant again.
It wasn’t recognised that birth could be a traumatic event associated with PTSD until 2014, and it’s likely that PTSD affects around 1 in 25 women. Many birthing people experience some of the symptoms of PTSD, but not enough of them to qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. Up to 45% of women say that at least part of their birth experience was traumatic, while around half say their birth was positive, a time of growth as an individual. Huge variables that prove that birth trauma is subjective and unique to each individual - it’s not something that can be put in a neatly defined box.
So what does define a traumatic birth then? It really is quite subjective. Birth is not seen as a traumatic event in the way a car crash would be. It is generally accepted that birth is positive, powerful, a “good” thing even while acknowledging that it might be hard work or a bit painful. But overall, it’s “good”, because you get your baby at the end of it.
It’s not always the actual birth itself that triggers trauma. It can be events during pregnancy, the postpartum period or feeding issues too - everything that’s a part of what the person considers to be their birthing time.
There are so many variables. But in the end, the only thing that really matters is that the person who gave birth is feeling troubled by events of their pregnancy, labour, delivery or postpartum period. Things that happened to them, words that were said to them, assessments and examinations that took place, feelings, emotions etc that keep playing through their mind, interrupt their ability to enjoy or connect with their baby, connect with their partner, feel bad about themselves, what they did or how they did it... and anything else that just doesn’t feel good. For that person, their birth has caused trauma.
Most people who feel like this try to soldier on, be tough, put it behind them or maybe just try to pretend it didn't happen. But it doesn't go away and often some help is needed.
If you feel like this about your birth time, whether you gave birth last week or years ago, reach out to book a healing birth trauma session with me.
References:
Why Birth Trauma Matters, Emma Svanberg, Pinter & Martin 2019