Birth Trauma

Birth Trauma is defined as a wound, serious injury or damage which can be physical or psychological or a combination of both. Many women who experience Birth Trauma can have physical injuries such as perineal tears, pelvic floor muscle damage, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic fractures and caesarean wounds.

Psychological trauma can occur with or without physical trauma and can present as postnatal depression and/or anxiety, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are many factors that can contribute to trauma including the journey through pregnancy, feeding challenges, infertility challenges, premature birth, and pregnancy loss.

However, the main contributing factor is the expectations of birth not lining up with reality where women expected their birth to go smoothly, can end up with unexpected complications. Miracle Babies Foundation believes that Kangaroo Care (skin to skin contact) can assist in reducing birth trauma for the mother herself but also provides benefits to the health of the baby.

Miracle Babies E Information Hub has been created in collaboration with parents and health professionals to provide families with Evidence, Education  and Empowerment.

The Information Hub has articles on PTSD, PNA and PND, as well as a range of others.

Postnatal Anxiety Signs/Symptoms:

• Intrusive or persistent thoughts
• Excessive worry
• Insomnia
• Avoidant behaviours
• Tension
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fatigue
• Shakiness or trembling
• Panic attacks
• May find themselves checking on the baby continually (even when asleep) for fear that they will stop breathing
• Have visions of something terrible happening to the baby that would harm them.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Signs/Symptoms:

• Re-experiencing the trauma
• Repetitive memories (or flashbacks) that are hard to control and intrude into everyday life
• Nightmares
• Extreme distress caused by reminders of the trauma
• Memories or disturbing thoughts that can be prompted by smells, sounds, words or other triggers
• Staying away from places, people or objects that may trigger memories of the traumatic event.
• Changing a normal routine to avoid triggering memories.
• Not wanting to talk about or think about the event.

Postnatal Depression Signs/Symptoms:

• Feeling of sadness and anxiety
• Sleeping a lot or too less
• Eating too less or too much
• Unexplained aches, pain, or illness
• Anxiety, irritation, or anger for no reason
• Sudden mood changes
• Poor concentration
• Difficulty in remembering things
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and hopelessness
• Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide
• Lack of pleasure in things that were earlier enjoyable
• Feeling disconnected with the baby

It is important to remember that every person is different; A person who goes through traumatic experience may not suffer any post trauma compared to a mother who has experienced a traumatic birth and will suffer PTSD for the rest of her life. It is also possible that a seemingly good birth can be traumatic for the mother or parent experiencing it; they can be traumatised by very fast labours, prolonged, painful labours, or emergency interventions like instrumental deliveries or caesareans.

Men can also suffer from Birth Trauma (mainly psychological trauma) associated with women birthing their child. This is why it is very important for both women and men to be aware of Birth Trauma so they can receive or support the care needed.

For support in Australia, contact:
Miracle Babies Foundation
www.miraclebabies.org.au
1300 662 243 (24hour NurtureLine)

Australian Birth Trauma Association
https://birthtrauma.org.au/

COPE – Centre for Perinatal Excellence
www.cope.org.au
1300 740 398 - Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (AEST)

Panda - Perinatal Mental Health
www.panda.org.au
1300 726 306, Monday to Saturday (and public holidays) from 9am – 7:30pm (AEST)