Following a traumatic childbirth, some mothers are left with overwhelming fear, helplessness, and intrusive memories. This can leave them wondering: Is birth trauma the same as PTSD? The short answer? Yes and no. While birth trauma can lead to PTSD, not everyone who experiences a traumatic childbirth will develop the diagnosis. Understanding the difference is crucial for mothers seeking support.

Experiencing birth trauma is deeply challenging, and for many mothers, the emotional aftermath is compounded by a powerful and often misunderstood emotion: shame. This shame can intensify the pain of trauma, making healing feel even further from reach. In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between birth trauma and shame, why it’s so pervasive, and practical ways to move forward and heal.

Do you wonder if your birth experience could be considered traumatic? Birth trauma is a personal and often misunderstood experience that affects many new moms. Despite growing awareness of maternal mental health, misconceptions about birth trauma still impact understanding and recovery. If you felt that your experience was traumatic, then you are likely experiencing birth trauma and its impact.

This blog post describes 10 signs that indicate you may be experiencing birth trauma. The piece, drawing on insights from postpartum therapists, perinatal mental health specialists, and birth trauma therapists, suggests that healing from PTSD from labor is possible.

Understanding birth trauma can be difficult. This blog describes birth trauma and shows how techniques like EMDR can help you process your experience.