Understanding Birth Trauma: Its Impact and How EMDR for Birth Trauma Can Help
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma is an umbrella term that can include varying events and experiences by birthing folks and their families. Birth trauma refers to any experience that scares a birthing person. It includes things they witness. Such experiences often leave them feeling scared, unsafe, or helpless. It's vital to recognize and address birth trauma in Ohio. It's key for the mothers' and families' well-being. Trauma's effects are far-reaching. This is especially true during the fragile, overwhelming time of pregnancy and childbirth. It can leave caregivers feeling anxious, scared, and drained. A supposedly magical time can become anything but. This blog post will describe birth trauma in Ohio. It will cover its effects and look at EMDR therapy as a treatment.
Definition of Birth Trauma
Birth trauma in Ohio, and elsewhere, affects up to 45% of women, says the NIH. This includes any case where the birthing person felt unsafe, scared for their or their child's life, and many more sadly common situations.
Common examples of birth trauma in Ohio include, but are not limited to: unplanned/emergency cesarean section, long and painful delivery, and ineffective medications. They also include any situation where a baby is in danger, or you fear for their safety. Other examples are medical complications and emergency treatment for the baby. But, these examples don't cover the many ways women experience trauma in the birthing space, including during pregnancy. Other examples include being lied to or misled by medical staff, and poor interactions with them. Also, there was inadequate support during birth. Also, birth plans were not followed or considered. Regardless of a mom's experience, one thing is key. If she felt scared, unsafe, or helpless during birth, it is birth trauma.
Emotional and Psychological Distress During and After Childbirth
The emotional and psychological aftermath of birth trauma in Ohio can be as varied and complex as the experiences that caused it. Many mothers feel intense fear, helplessness, or failure after a traumatic birth. These emotions often linger long after the scars have healed. They can deeply affect a mother's mental health and well-being.
Emotional Effects:
Birth trauma in Ohio and elsewhere can be overwhelming for a mother, leaving her with confusing emotions. She may feel intense sadness, guilt, or shame, and blame herself for things that were beyond her control during the birth. These feelings can make her feel like she's not good enough. She may believe she "failed" her baby or family, which can be very painful. She may also feel angry or resentful toward medical staff, loved ones, or even her baby. This can cause a lot of inner turmoil and confusion. If these emotions and beliefs are not addressed, they can lead to lasting problems. For example, they can make it hard to maintain relationships or find happiness in them. They can also cause low self-esteem, make her doubt herself, and make it difficult to set boundaries.
Psychological Effects:
Birth trauma can significantly and permanently affect a mother's mind. Many mothers develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This includes flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. Hypervigilance may cause an intense, constant worry about the baby's safety. This made it hard to bond with the baby or enjoy motherhood. This can be seen in real life as moms having difficulty allowing others to care give their child. Even when it's necessary for moms to be away from their infant or child, including for work and appointments, and to see friends. Mothers may also experience heightened anxiety, and particularly around medical settings, future pregnancies. Or even routine check-ups though the anxiety is often present in many areas of life. Depression, too, is common. Some mothers find no joy in life, as trauma from their birth experience overshadows them.
These emotional and psychological effects are not just fleeting moments of distress. But they can shape how a mother perceives herself, her relationships, and her role as a parent. It's vital to recognize that these feelings are valid. Support exists to help mothers with these complex emotions.
Common Misconceptions About Birth Trauma
Many moms with birth trauma often question their feelings. Misconceptions about birth trauma are widespread. These misconceptions can make moms feel isolated or invalidated. Thinking that their trauma "doesn't count" or that they should just "move on." However, knowing these common beliefs are also inaccurate can be very validating. Here are some common misconceptions about birth trauma. They are from a licensed certified EMDR and infertility mental health therapist in Ohio:
1. "Birth trauma only happens if something went medically wrong."
Many moms are led to believe that birth trauma in Ohio only occurs in cases of severe medical complications. In reality, birth trauma can happen even in what appears to be a medically “normal” birth. Trauma can result from emotional experiences. These include feeling unsupported, unheard, or out of control. Regardless of the medical outcome. If medical staff call it a "routine" birth, it doesn't matter. If the birthing person felt scared, helpless, or unsupported, it counts as birth trauma. They should seek treatment.
2. "If the baby is healthy, that’s all that matters."
While having a ‘healthy’ baby is important, it doesn’t negate the mother's experience. This misconception ignores the mother's emotional and physical well-being. It suggests her feelings are less important. Both the baby’s health and the mother’s experience matter equally. Also, "healthy" is relative. One mother's view of healthy may differ from another's. So, it doesn't matter if an infant stayed in the NICU or went home. That is irrelevant to any birth trauma the infant may have suffered.
3. "You should be over it by now."
Trauma doesn’t follow a set timeline. Some people expect moms to "get over" their traumatic birth experience quickly. But the emotional scars can last much longer. Healing from trauma is a personal process. It can take time, no matter how long it has been since the birth. This is why, for some moms, 4 years could have passed since their birth trauma. A friend's birth story can trigger their old fears and anxieties. It can also bring back negative images and intense emotions. This is an example of trauma being stored not just in the brain as a memory but felt throughout the body.
4. "Trauma only affects ‘weak’ moms."
There is a harmful belief that only certain types of people are susceptible to trauma. Implying that those who experience it are somehow "weak." This couldn’t be further from the truth. Birth trauma in Ohio can affect anyone. It doesn't matter how strong their mind is. In fact, as a mom and someone who experienced a traumatic birth, I would argue that there are zero weak moms in existence.
5. "You should be grateful, stop focusing on the negative."
Society often pressures moms to focus solely on gratitude for their healthy baby or positive factors surrounding their current situation. Ignoring their own pain and suffering. It’s possible to be both grateful for your child and traumatized by the birth experience—these feelings aren’t mutually exclusive. Moms can (and often do) experience joy regarding being a parent and the beautiful moments that follow while also experiencing intense anxiety, fear, and shame.
By understanding these misconceptions, moms can feel validated in their experiences. Knowing that their feelings are real, important, and deserving of care and attention. Birth trauma is complex, and there is no "right" way to feel or heal. If you recognize yourself in any of these points, know that you are not alone and that your experience matters.
Birth Trauma and the Impact on Mental Health
Trauma occurring during or after birth can have ripple effects on the mother’s mental health. According to Postpartum Support International, approximately 3% of birthing people meet the criteria for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This rate increases to 15% for moms who are at high risk which includes having a prior history of trauma and/or abuse, previous or current anxiety disorders or OCD, lack of financial support, lack of partner or family support, complications during pregnancy or prior births or with breastfeeding. These risk factors, in my experience as a therapist for moms and an infertility mental health therapist, are much more common than moms are led to believe. Especially, during their pregnancies and postpartum experiences.
Moms who experience birth-related or postpartum trauma may have some or all of the symptoms related to a diagnosis of PTSD. It is important to note that everyone presents differently. Not all symptoms may be present and whether a mom officially meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD does not mean they do not deserve treatment. A lot of moms, they already experienced anxiety symptoms and may have had other symptoms present before birth trauma. Which then exacerbates some or all of the symptoms moms may have resigned themselves to as a part of life. Such as constant worrying, body tension, fatigue, and feeling detached. Here are some common symptoms experienced by birth trauma survivors:
Intrusive re-experiencing of a past traumatic event
The trauma event in this case may have been the childbirth itself. Moms experience this as getting images, words, and scenes playing in their minds of the event. Even when they don’t want to think about it. This can be when they go to their 6-week postpartum appointment and they are reminded of the hospital room.
Flashbacks or nightmares.
Some moms experience nightmares during sleep or flashbacks while awake. All of which feel like you are back in the moment of the trauma, seeing the environment, hearing the doctor’s comment, and feeling the pain.
Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event
It can include thoughts, feelings, people, places, and details of the event. This shows up for moms as avoiding not only discussing the trauma of birth itself but also anything that could remind them of the event. This can be discussing family planning, going to a support group, or even calling a friend who recently had a baby.
Persistent increased arousal
This includes irritability, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response. This is the mood shift that a lot of moms who have experienced birth trauma in Ohio attribute to sleeplessness or change in routine but may in fact be their bodies’ way of trying to stay safe and protected. Hypervigilance in itself can look like always being ready to fight (or defend). It can have you checking your surroundings multiple times. These can be thoughts like, “Is the crib really safe?, “Let me wash this bottle an extra time because I don’t trust that it was done right”, and obsessing over baby sounds and what they mean. But also jumping to the conclusion that something is wrong.
Anxiety and panic attacks.
Moms who have experienced birth trauma may constantly feel on edge. Like something bad could happen at any moment. For example, they might become overly anxious about their baby's health, checking on them repeatedly while they sleep or worrying that they’re not doing enough to keep them safe. A simple doctor’s appointment or a minor cold might trigger intense anxiety. Leading to sleepless nights and constant worry. Panic attacks can feel out of nowhere, often triggered by something that reminds them of their traumatic birth experience. For instance, walking past a hospital or even hearing certain medical terms could cause their heart to race. But also trigger their chest to tighten, and their breath to become shallow. In these moments, the fear becomes so overwhelming that it feels impossible to focus on anything else, leaving them feeling trapped in their own body.
Feeling a sense of unreality and detachment.
After experiencing birth trauma, some moms may feel disconnected from reality. As if they’re going through the motions but not fully present. This sense of detachment might show up when they're with their baby—while holding or feeding their child. They may feel like they’re not truly there, as if they’re watching themselves from the outside. Some moms describe feeling like life is happening to them rather than being active participants. They may struggle to bond with their baby or feel distant from their partner. Leading to guilt or confusion about why they can't just "snap out of it" and be in the moment. Even in happy times, like family gatherings or outings, the sense of unreality might leave them feeling like they’re drifting through life. Unable to connect emotionally.
How Birth Trauma (Left Untreated) can Lead to Ongoing Anxiety
After experiencing birth trauma in Ohio, many moms may develop heightened anxiety and an overwhelming need to control every aspect of their baby’s well-being. This hypervigilance can look like obsessively tracking their baby’s feeding times, sleep patterns, and developmental milestones in notebooks or apps. Some moms might feel the urge to log every diaper change, feeding session, or nap, fearing that missing even one detail could put their baby at risk. The fear of choking, illness, or injury can become all-consuming. Leading to strict control over what the baby eats, constant supervision, and difficulty trusting others to care for the baby.
For example, a mother might avoid introducing solid foods for fear of choking or might stay up all night to monitor their baby’s breathing while they sleep. This hypervigilance often extends to scrolling endlessly through social media or parenting forums. Seeking answers to every possible "what if" scenario. Instead of providing comfort, this can lead to more anxiety, as they encounter conflicting information or horror stories that confirm their worst fears.
Fear of Becoming Pregnant Again/Changes to Future Family Planning
For many moms who have experienced birth trauma, the thought of becoming pregnant again is filled with dread. The idea of going through another pregnancy or delivery can trigger intense fear, flashbacks, and anxiety. Even if they always imagined having more children, the trauma from their previous experience may leave them feeling like they can’t endure it again. This fear can result in delaying or even deciding against having more children altogether. Some women may avoid intimacy with their partner out of fear of becoming pregnant, creating tension in their relationship.
Others might begin researching elective C-sections or alternative birth plans as a way to regain control over their body and avoid re-traumatization. The impact of untreated birth trauma on family planning can be profound, as moms weigh their emotional and mental health against their desire to expand their family. They may experience guilt and sadness over not being able to enjoy the idea of pregnancy like they once did, creating feelings of loss and disappointment.
The Impact of Birth Trauma on Physical Health
Birth trauma doesn’t just affect mental and emotional well-being—it can also manifest in the body in various ways, creating a range of physical symptoms that can persist long after the birth experience.
Chronic Pain, Headaches, or Tension
Many moms who have experienced birth trauma may carry physical tension in their bodies, especially in areas like the shoulders, neck, and lower back. This tension can develop into chronic pain, making it difficult to relax or enjoy everyday activities. Persistent headaches and migraines are also common, often triggered by stress and the constant state of alertness that many trauma survivors experience.
Fatigue and Insomnia
Trauma can disrupt sleep patterns in significant ways. Moms may struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep due to racing thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares related to their traumatic birth experiences. Even if they manage to get some rest, the quality of sleep is often poor, leading to ongoing fatigue. This exhaustion compounds the demands of motherhood, leaving moms feeling drained and physically depleted.
Physical Reactions When Triggered
When reminded of their trauma—whether through a specific sound, smell, or even a medical setting—moms may experience intense physical reactions. These can include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, or dizziness. The body’s response to being triggered is often swift and overwhelming, reinforcing the sense of being unsafe and out of control. These reactions can feel terrifying, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere.
Connection Between Physical Health and Emotional Trauma
The mind-body connection plays a critical role in understanding how trauma manifests physically. Unresolved birth trauma can have profound effects on a mom’s physical health, as emotional pain often finds a way to express itself through the body. When trauma remains unprocessed, it doesn’t simply disappear. Instead, it stays stored in the body, leading to chronic stress responses. The constant state of fight-or-flight activation can take a toll on a mom’s immune system, increasing vulnerability to illness. Long-term trauma can also contribute to other physical issues, such as digestive problems, muscle tension, and even autoimmune conditions.
Over time, the body begins to wear down under the pressure of unresolved trauma. What may begin as occasional headaches or tension can evolve into chronic health conditions that further strain a mom’s ability to cope. Without addressing the underlying trauma, these physical symptoms may worsen, trapping moms in a cycle of physical and emotional exhaustion. Understanding this connection between emotional trauma and physical health is key to healing. It’s not just about treating physical symptoms in isolation—it’s about recognizing that true recovery involves addressing both the mind and body. This is where therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be incredibly powerful, as they help release the trauma stored in the body and bring relief to both emotional and physical pain.
Common Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Birth trauma can show up in many different ways—emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Often, the signs are subtle at first and may be brushed off as the "normal" stresses of motherhood, but recognizing these early symptoms is key to getting help and beginning the healing process.
Emotional Symptoms:
Many moms may experience feelings of deep sadness, worry, or fear following a traumatic birth experience. These emotions may not fade over time but instead intensify, creating a lingering sense of overwhelm. Moms might also feel intense irritability or anger, even over small things. This emotional rollercoaster can make it hard to find joy in everyday moments and may lead to feelings of disconnection from their baby or loved ones. For example:
You may find yourself crying unexpectedly or feeling sad even during happy moments.
Worry might dominate your thoughts, with constant fears about your baby’s health, safety, or development.
Irritability may cause you to snap at your partner or other children, leaving you feeling guilty or ashamed afterward.
Cognitive Symptoms:
Birth trauma can also affect the way a mom thinks and processes the world around her. Cognitive symptoms can range from difficulty concentrating and focusing to more distressing thoughts about the birth experience itself. Moms often struggle with intrusive thoughts, which are unwanted, distressing thoughts that replay the trauma or introduce new fears, such as something bad happening to the baby.
You might find it hard to focus on simple tasks, feeling mentally foggy or easily distracted.
Intrusive thoughts could include imagining worst-case scenarios for your baby’s safety or replaying moments from the birth that you can’t seem to shake.
You may also have deeply ingrained beliefs that lead to self-blame, such as thinking "It was my fault" or "I should have done something differently." This can lead to overwhelming guilt and feelings of powerlessness as if you failed in some way.
Physical Symptoms:
The effects of birth trauma don’t just stay in the mind. They can also show up physically. Many moms experience increased tension in their bodies, particularly in the neck, shoulders, or back. Chronic headaches or migraines are common, and feelings of exhaustion can persist, even when you’re getting adequate sleep. Physical symptoms are often tied to the body being in a prolonged state of stress or hypervigilance, where you’re constantly on high alert, ready for something to go wrong.
You may notice tightness in your body, frequent tension headaches, or even jaw clenching, particularly when stressed or triggered.
Chronic exhaustion could be a result of carrying mental and emotional burdens that make it feel impossible to truly rest, no matter how much sleep you get.
Physical reactions such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, or sweating can occur when you’re reminded of the traumatic experience, making even mundane tasks feel overwhelming.
The Importance of Early Recognition and Intervention
Recognizing these signs early on is essential because untreated birth trauma can worsen over time, leading to deeper emotional, mental, and physical consequences. Ignoring the symptoms or assuming they’ll pass can result in prolonged suffering and impact not only the mom’s well-being but also her ability to bond with her child and partner and her ability to be present and enjoy motherhood.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Addressing birth trauma early allows moms to start the healing process before the symptoms become more severe. The sooner a mom can identify that her feelings and reactions may be linked to trauma, the sooner she can seek help and support. Early intervention through therapy, such as EMDR for birth trauma and birth trauma therapy in Ohio, can be a powerful tool in releasing the trauma. And preventing long-term effects, including anxiety disorders, depression, or even PTSD.
How to Seek Help
If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional who specializes in birth trauma therapy in Ohio. Therapy options like EMDR for birth trauma can help reduce the emotional intensity of the trauma. Allowing you to feel more present and grounded in your role as a mother. It’s also important to know that these symptoms are not your fault, and seeking help is the first step toward reclaiming your mental and emotional well-being.
How EMDR For Birth Trauma Can Help
When it comes to processing and healing from birth trauma, many moms find themselves stuck in a cycle of reliving the experience. Where they are constantly being triggered by memories or sensations from the traumatic birth. This can make daily life overwhelming and leave moms feeling powerless or disconnected. One therapy that has proven highly effective for trauma is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
What is EMDR?
EMDR for birth trauma is a specialized trauma therapy that helps individuals reprocess distressing memories. All so they no longer hold the same emotional charge. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on the way traumatic memories are stored in the brain. And helps rewire those memories so they feel less painful and overwhelming.
How EMDR Works
During an EMDR for birth trauma session, the EMDR therapist guides you to focus on specific traumatic memories while also engaging in bilateral stimulation. This is usually through eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This process helps your brain reprocess the trauma. Allowing you to move the memory from a place of emotional intensity to one of neutral recall. In other words, EMDR works to uncouple the emotional and physical distress from the memory itself.
Why It’s Effective for Trauma
Trauma is stored in the body and brain differently than other memories. Often stuck in a "loop" where it keeps resurfacing as if the danger is still present. EMDR for birth trauma helps to break that loop by activating your brain’s natural healing process. Allowing the trauma to be properly processed and integrated. This is especially important for birth trauma, where the memory may be compounded by physical, emotional, and cognitive triggers.
Specific Benefits of EMDR for Birth Trauma
1. Reducing the Intensity of Traumatic Memories
For many moms who’ve experienced birth trauma in Ohio, the memory of the birth can feel overwhelming. Almost as if they are still reliving it every time they think about it. EMDR for birth trauma can help reduce the emotional and physical intensity of those memories. Making them easier to recall without being flooded by fear, sadness, or anger. A mom might find that after EMDR for birth trauma, she can be reminded or brought back to the difficult moments of labor or delivery. All without her heart racing or feeling panicked, which allows her to be present instead of being pulled back into the pain of the experience.
2. Regaining a Sense of Control and Safety
One of the most distressing aspects of birth trauma is the feeling of helplessness or loss of control during the birth process. This sense of powerlessness can stay with moms long after the birth. Affecting their ability to feel safe and grounded in motherhood. EMDR for birth trauma helps moms reconnect with a sense of control over their bodies and emotions. Allowing them to feel empowered rather than fearful. For example, a mom who felt ignored by medical staff during her birth may feel validated and supported through EMDR. Instead of believing “I should have done something” or “I am to blame”, moms who engage in EMDR therapy can shift to believing “I am powerful and I did the best I could” which can help them trust themselves and their decisions again.
3. Improving Emotional Regulation and Reducing Hypervigilance
Birth trauma can leave moms in a heightened state of alertness or hypervigilance. Where they feel constantly on edge, anxious, or worried about their baby’s safety. This ongoing state of stress can make it difficult to relax or enjoy motherhood. EMDR for birth trauma helps to calm the nervous system by allowing the brain to process the trauma and break the pattern of hypervigilance. After EMDR, many moms report feeling more at ease in their day-to-day lives, able to trust their instincts and let go of the constant fear that something will go wrong with their baby.
Success Stories and Research Supporting EMDR for Birth Trauma
EMDR has been widely researched and recognized as an effective treatment for trauma, including birth trauma. In fact, many moms who have gone through EMDR for birth trauma therapy, for birth-related trauma, have reported significant improvements in their emotional well-being. But also their ability to bond with their baby and their overall sense of peace.
Research
Studies have shown that EMDR is highly effective in reducing post-traumatic stress symptoms. Including anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional dysregulation. For moms who’ve experienced birth trauma, EMDR for birth trauma has been found to significantly reduce the emotional intensity of the traumatic birth experience. Helping them feel more present and connected in their role as a mother.
Success Story of EMDR for Birth Trauma
One mom who went through a traumatic emergency C-section shared how EMDR for birth trauma in Youngstown, OH helped her reprocess the fear and helplessness she felt during the birth. After engaging in EMDR for this event, she was able to think about the birth without reliving the panic. Which allowed her to start enjoying her time with her baby instead of constantly worrying. She also found that her panic attacks decreased and she was able to regain confidence in her body’s ability to keep herself and her baby safe. By helping moms work through the trauma and reprocess their experiences, EMDR offers hope and healing for those who may feel trapped by their birth trauma. With the guidance of a trained therapist, EMDR provides a path forward, where moms can regain their sense of calm, safety, and joy in motherhood.
Finding Relief with EMDR for Birth Trauma
In conclusion, birth trauma is a deeply personal and impactful experience that can affect both your emotional and physical well-being long after childbirth. If left unaddressed, it can lead to ongoing anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulty fully enjoying motherhood. The good news is that healing is possible. Therapies like EMDR and birth trauma therapy in Youngstown, OH can help you process your trauma, regain control, and find peace.
If any of this resonates with you, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. I invite you to reach out for a free consultation to explore how therapy for birth trauma in Ohio or EMDR for birth trauma can support your journey to healing. Let’s take that first step together.
Start Healing with EMDR for Birth Trauma in Youngstown & Throughout Ohio
Experiencing birth trauma in Ohio can be deeply impactful, affecting both your emotional and physical well-being long after childbirth. It’s okay to acknowledge your feelings and seek the support you need. If navigating the aftermath of birth trauma feels overwhelming or isolating, birth trauma therapy in Ohio, including EMDR for birth trauma, can help you regain control and find peace. Your experience is valid, and you deserve to heal. Follow these steps to get started with the best therapist for moms:
Schedule a free intro call with me today
Make your first appointment for EMDR for Birth Trauma
Move forward without the constant weight of past trauma, and embrace motherhood with renewed strength and calm.
Other Virtual Therapy Services I Offer in Ohio
As a therapist for moms and an infertility mental health therapist in Ohio, I offer a variety of services to help you start living a life you love. One of my specialties is providing EMDR intensives and birth trauma therapy in Ohio. Which can help with birth trauma, infertility, anxiety, past trauma, and more. Plus I also offer EMDR for grief and therapy for infertility in Ohio. If you are a mother who needs support contact me today.
