Birth Trauma and Postpartum Mental Health— what every parent should know.
I want to create some space to begin conversations and provide education around traumatic birth experiences. In maternal mental health, we often discuss the complexities of pregnancy and postpartum — and yet challenging birth experiences can deeply impact how a woman or birthing person feels throughout postpartum and beyond.
What is Birth Trauma and what does it entail?
I define birth trauma as an experience that happened before, during, or after giving birth that negatively impacts how a person feels within themselves and/or how they relate to the world around them.
It is important to note that birth trauma can stem from both emotional and physical pain. Traumatic birth experiences may involve something that happened to the mother, the baby, or both.
Birth trauma may stem from:
An emergency C-section or other emergency interventions
Preeclampsia
Prolonged labor
Having an infant in the NICU
Poor medical treatment
Other medical complications that exacerbated symptoms throughout pregnancy, labor, or delivery
Lack of support, feeling isolated, or feeling unheard by medical staff or loved ones
Not having the birth experience you hoped for
Recent studies show that 1 in 3 birthing mothers may experience a traumatic birth. This statistic still blows my mind. To me, this highlights how important it is not to sweep these experiences under the rug or dismiss them with statements like, “Well, that’s just what happens when giving birth.”
When traumatic births become normalized or minimized, it can become quite dangerous. Birthing mothers may feel isolated, undervalued, overlooked by care providers, and ultimately unsupported in the ways they need and deserve.
The aftermath of a traumatic experience is a vital period of time that can leave mothers feeling either more seen and connected — or alone and stuck. Our connection to community after a difficult experience can help the nervous system reestablish a sense of safety and belonging. The role that connection and support play in our nervous system’s ability to recalibrate is immense.
Something to chew on…
What does support mean to you?
If you could paint a picture of support and connection, what would you see?
What would that picture look like if you had the support and collaboration you needed before, during, and after giving birth?
What kind of support may you need moving forward now?
If you are not a birthing person and you’re reading this to support someone in your life, consider ways you can show up in a way that makes sense to them.
This can look like a supportive friend, family member, or practitioner validating your experience and truly showing up for you. It can also look like doing something simple and comforting — like watching your favorite movie with a loved one who simply sits with you. Anything that creates a sense of connection and communicates support matters.
Our nervous systems literally have built-in ways to complete the stress cycle, and connection is one of them.
What are signs and symptoms of birth trauma?
Feeling constantly on edge or like your nervous system has been hijacked
Feeling disconnected from yourself and/or withdrawn from everyday life
Experiencing nightmares related to the birth experience
Reliving or replaying the event over and over
Difficulties with intimacy or connection
Feeling like your body is an ongoing reminder of what happened
Thoughts such as:
“I’m a failure.”
“I’m not a good enough mom.”
“I can’t trust my body.”
“I don’t have power and everything feels out of control.”
Feeling anxious before doctor appointments or medical settings
Therapy and EMDR for Birth Trauma and Postpartum Support
I often describe traumatic experiences as something that takes hold in our bodies — not just our brains. This is why so many people tell me they’ve talked about their story repeatedly and still don’t feel better — or sometimes even feel worse.
Talk therapy alone is not always enough to create a sense of resolution. Our nervous systems operate through the whole body, not just the brain. We literally feel emotions and sensations; we do not simply think them. This is where other therapeutic modalities, such as somatic therapy and EMDR, can become incredibly supportive.
At Soulglow Wellness L.L.C., I approach trauma work with curiosity, compassion, and deep respect for the language of the nervous system. This means slowing down in a meaningful way, understanding what the body may be holding, and creating space for healing at the root. EMDR and somatic approaches are often the vehicles that support this process.
So… what exactly is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In a nutshell, EMDR is a somatic-based trauma therapy approach that uses various forms of bilateral stimulation — most commonly eye movements or tapping.
This process allows a person to remain anchored in the present moment while gently connecting to difficult emotions or past memories in order to reprocess them. Reprocessing often decreases the distress associated with the memory while also shifting negative core beliefs connected to the experience — such as no longer believing you are weak, powerless, or not enough.
EMDR can be an incredibly supportive treatment model for birth trauma because it helps people begin to release what feels stuck and reconnect with themselves from a place of authenticity, compassion, and nurture.
EMDR can be used in ongoing weekly or biweekly therapy sessions, as well as in therapy intensives.
The Role of EMDR Therapy Intensives
EMDR intensives are an accelerated form of therapy offered over a shorter period of time, allowing for highly focused trauma work without the interruption of weekly sessions.
Benefits may include:
Increased connection and regulation within the nervous system
Greater ability to move through patterns that may feel frozen or stuck
More continuous and supported processing
Intensives are not about rushing healing or taking shortcuts. They are about creating an environment that optimizes nervous system support so you can begin feeling relief and connection sooner.
Key Takeaway
Birth trauma is real, valid, and more common than many people realize. Difficult birth experiences can leave lasting emotional, physical, and nervous system impacts that deserve compassion, support, and care — not minimization.
You deserve support that helps you feel seen, empowered, and connected again.
Looking for a trauma therapist in Maryland or West Virginia to help you navigate birth trauma and maternal mental health, so you can reclaim your value — and move into a more supported healing process?
Take the next steps and reachout with questions or book your free consultation call with Brittney Today.
Want to learn more?
https://www.soulglow-wellness.com/
Booking link:
