Transform Your Life with Julie Arnold Counselling and Psychotherapy

Birth Trauma can be a frightening and debilitating experience. It can last for years and have an severe impact on the relationship with mother and baby. 

Scientists are gradually coming to the conclusion that PTSD is caused by the failure of the brain to process memories in the normal way, so that a trauma that has happened in the past, still feels very real in the present. 

During a frightening situation and where the mother feels their life or the life of their baby is at risk, the body floods with the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. This disrupts the functioning of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory processing.  

Many mothers don't feel seen and heard during labour and when this does not go to plan and becomes a risk and stressful, then this can trigger feelings that are difficult to process. 

Labour can be slow and painful, during long labours and when interventions become necessary some women refer to feeling invisible, unseen and unheard. 

Triggers and  flashbacks can become difficult and scary. Psychotherapy can support with processing those unprocessed thoughts and feelings. Also, understanding how a lack of control can lead to feelings such as shame, anger and sadness.