PTSD from Childbirth

Welcome back to While Doing Laundry! Today we are going to talk about what birth trauma really is, and why many people have it but don’t even realize it. This may be a very emotional conversation for you, but listen to your body, trust your emotions, and see what comes to mind for you. I’m always here if you need me.  -If you Google birth trauma, you will likely find references to physical birth trauma -Emotional and mental birth trauma is often overlooked -The Birth Trauma Association in the UK is closer to the mark -They define birth trauma as a post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) following birth -I use the term PTSD with caution, as many new parents feel like their symptoms are not “bad enough” to be classified as PTSD -If you broaden your definition of PTSD, it is simply a traumatic event or events where an individual feels their life is being threatened, or someone else around them is in danger, or if there is a threat to their dignity or person   -My point is that even if you don’t have diagnosed PTSD after birth, you still may be suffering from birth trauma -I approach birth trauma as an overarching umbrella term that can capture anything as minute as disappointments, or mild frustration -In your experience, it could be as simple as a beautiful birth experience with one tiny, nagging memory that just doesn't sit well with you -That falls under this umbrella, just as much as the stereotypical very dramatic, traumatic life or death situation that some people bring with their stories that some people have shared -These stories carry as much value as do the stories of absolute heartbreak and stereotypical drama, and excitement, and overwhelm that come with many other birth stories -The common thread of birth trauma is the sensation, the experience of being silenced, and ignored even though you are the person who should be at the center of every decision, when you are pushed to the side, or whether you're just ignored and denied completely -When we enter the healthcare system, we want support, we want guidance, and we want to be led to good outcomes -Just the same as presenting to the ER with a broken ankle, we hope that would lead to a treatment plan that fits our needs  -Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery are all key when repairing a broken ankle -Health care providers need to know about your life, your needs and how to help you get back to that -They need to be able to treat your ankle so you can get back to running up and down the stairs with a basket of laundry with a baby on your back -Childbirth should be the same, it should be based around the needs of the individual -Many healthcare providers don’t acknowledge the complex needs of birthing mothers -Birthing mothers exit the system traumatized and without any words to explain what they went through any without means of healing -This creates isolation for new parents and rifts in families -Many women feel forced to swallow their indignation and to “just keep smiling” as society dictates -You have a newborn baby, you don't want to miss out on making memories, dammit, put on some mascara, and force a smile for those newborn pictures -Condense that horrific story you just endured to the version that everyone else feels comfortable with - Because you get tired of hearing the people you trust and expect to keep you safe telling you just to be happy with your healthy baby.  -They don't understand or don't have the skill set to support you with the trauma you experienced -Trauma does not go anywhere and it prevents you from transitioning into the next phase of life -If you don't work through what happens, you cannot bury a traumatic birth experience and expect to move through parenthood with joy and with absolute ownership The healthcare system doesn’t want to touch this topic because it would mean acknowledging the fact that these traumatic birth experiences happen at the hands of medical professionals. They happen...