Birth Trauma PTSD

Birth Trauma PTSD is a reaction to personally experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, including childbirth. History of prior trauma increases the risk. It is common to feel guilty for having negative feelings about the birth and believe that she “should” be happy, especially if the baby is healthy.

Some Symptoms of Perinatal PTSD:

  • Intrusive re-experiencing of the traumatic event: flashbacks, reliving the experience, nightmares
  • Hyperarousal (easily startled), Hypervigilance
  • Avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the trauma: including the location, thoughts, feelings or people who were present at the event.
  • Anxiety and panic attacks

Risk Factors:

It is important to understand that birth trauma PTSD is caused by the real or perceived trauma during the birth or postpartum experience.

  • Unplanned C-section
  • Baby in Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
  • Feeling out of control during the labor
  • Prior history of trauma (including a history of physical or sexual abuse)

If you believe you or someone you know may be suffering from birth trauma PTSD, please contact us.