Last week, Family Counselling Support Network honoured Birth Trauma Awareness Week (July 17-21).

Australian and international research suggests that up to 1 in 3 women identify their birth experience as traumatic (Heyne et al, 2022). Birth trauma happens when women experience events during birth that lead to emotional and psychological overwhelm. These overwhelming experiences can lead to immediate and long-term negative effects on her health and wellbeing (Leinweiber et al, 2022).

Unexpected medical interventions (for example induction, epidural, or an emergency Caesarian section), premature delivery, prolonged and painful labour, miscarriage or stillbirth or other medical complications are experiences that increase the risk of birth-related trauma. 

If you have experienced a traumatic birth, you may have felt afraid, helpless or unsupported by those around you during birth. After the birth, you may have been left feeling guilty or numb due to events beyond your control. You could even suffer from panic attacks. If this happens you need to know you are not alone!

We also know that there is often a strong correlation between birth trauma and the likelihood of new mums experiencing some level of postpartum depression or anxiety. Postpartum depression (also called PPD) is a medical condition that many women get after having a baby. It’s characterised by strong feelings of sadness, depressed mood, loss of interest, anxiety (worry), difficulties with concentration, changes in appetite and sleep, suicidal ideation, and tiredness that lasts for a long time after giving birth. It can make it hard for you to take care of yourself and the baby.

A mother experiencing birth trauma and postpartum depression may feel neglected, confused, scared, resentful, unsupported, burdened or exhausted. These feelings can lead to ongoing struggles that complicate being a new parent.

If you are experiencing difficulties pre and/or post-birth, we want to know help is available and we are here for you. You don’t need to suffer alone.  We are here for you.

Psychologist, Louisa Mason, has experience working with new mothers with low mood, those who need to process their birth experiences, or who are experiencing anxiety.