Four key signs you could be suffering from birth trauma and where to get help
GOING through childbirth can be an intense and emotional experience.
And if it's a difficult birth - such as losing a lot of blood or having to have an emergency caesarean - then you might be left with some ongoing trauma.
This is called birth trauma - also referred to as postnatal PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) - and can affect mothers, fathers, and even midwives.
"Some women experience events during childbirth (as well as in pregnancy or immediately after birth) that would traumatise any normal person,"
"For others, it is not always the sensational or dramatic events that trigger childbirth trauma but other factors such as loss of control, loss of dignity, the hostile attitudes of the people around them, feelings of not being heard or the absence of informed consent to medical procedures."
Birth trauma has become more talked about in recent weeks due to Louise Thompson's mental health struggles.
Read more Parenting stories
The Made In Chelsea star gave birth to son Leo-Hunter last year and suffered complications during the birth - leaving her with birth trauma.
She's now undergoing therapy and is seeing a "reassuring doctor" after getting some "alarming" blood test results that ended up triggering her.
If, like Louise, you think you might be suffering from birth trauma, there are four main signs and symptoms to look out for, according to the BTA.
- Those suffering from birth trauma often find themselves re-experiencing the traumatic events - through flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories. This can leave them distressed and panicky.
- It can also lead to someone deliberately avoiding situations that remind them of the trauma, such as refusing to walk past the hospital they gave birth in or avoiding meeting other woman with new babies.
- Birth trauma sufferers are often hyper-vigilant - meaning they are constantly alert, irritable and jumpy. They also worry that something terrible is going to happen to their baby.
- They are also known to feel low and unhappy - as well as feeling guilty and often blaming themselves for their traumatic birth.
Most read in Fabulous
It can also be helpful to contact the hospital where you gave birth, to ask for a birth debriefing service.
This involves speaking to a doctor or midwife about what happened during your labour, and enables you to go through your maternity notes, as well as asking any questions you need to.
Your partner can go with you, or you can go alone.
Mum Vicky that she arranged one of the appointments after her difficult birth, and found it very helpful.
"We spoke to the head midwife who went through my notes and explained everything that had happened, including why I was in theatre longer than usual," she said.
"It gave us an opportunity to give suggestions for improvements in the way they could communicate with parents, which they took on board and put our minds at rest on several issues."
Sometimes, when women go to a health professional to seek advice for birth trauma, they're wrongly diagnosed with postnatal depression.
But it's important to make it clear that you feel you are struggling with birth trauma.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
If you think it would be helpful, the BTA provides a leaflet that you could take with you to the doctor. You
As well as your doctor, you could also talk to your health visitor, your midwife and friends and family about your situation.
