Giving birth can be one of the most defining moments in any parent’s life. Bringing new life into the world ready to raise and watch them grow up but what many people forget about is the sheer amount of pain that comes alongside giving birth.
From the contractions beforehand to the pushing to get the baby out, the scope for this experience being traumatising is huge. With the latest figures showing that there were over 600,000 births in 2020, there are copious amounts of women that may have had a traumatic birthing experience and so, we want to provide support where we can.
What is a traumatic birth?
Birth trauma is the distress caused during and/or after childbirth. It can be physical, emotional, or psychological, and whilst there are always varying severities between mothers, it can make life extremely tough during the start of their new baby’s life.
It is estimated that roughly 30,000 women experience this every year which shows the prevalence of this issue. With that in mind, it is important to look out for the signs of birth trauma in yourself and in loved ones, as the victims may be suffering without even realising.
Some of the signs of a traumatic birth include: feeling shocked, guilty, numb, or prone to anxiety/panic attacks. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing any of these symptoms then this article may help. We also recommend you contact your GP for the very best advice.
Ways to recover
Getting over a distressing experience as big as birth may take some time, but hopefully, these following steps will make it a little bit easier.
1. Talk
Talking to either a family member or a healthcare professional may seem like a difficult thing to do but as you begin to voice your feelings, you will begin to make sense of them which may help you to understand why you are feeling these emotions. Remember it is ok to feel this way, and you should try not to feel guilty or shameful.
Healthcare professionals may also be able to provide you with practical techniques to combat your trauma which you can practise every time you begin to feel a negative emotion towards your pregnancy or labour.
2. Therapies
Several therapies may be able to calm some of your emotions throughout this difficult time. One example of this is CBT where you will go over your trauma in a structured manner. Throughout this session, you actively observe your thoughts and perceptions before using relaxation techniques to help create a safe environment for you to process your birthing experience properly.
CBT is a common therapy type used for many different types of trauma, but may not be the best solution for you. We recommend you do some research or contact your GP to discuss alternatives.
3. Explore your options
When you feel like you have the emotional, and physical, strength to take further action you could then look into your options, in terms of compensation and damages.
The NHS has a complaints procedure in place, and every private healthcare provider should have one also.
The process of lodging a complaint or persuing damages can be stressful and traumatic, so we recommend you contact a legal expert, who specialises in medical and accident claims, to offer you the best support and advice during this period.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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