Birth is supposed to be one of the most transformative moments of your life—but what if it didn’t go the way you hoped? What if you’re left feeling shaken, scared, or haunted by what happened? This is the reality of birth trauma, and you’re far from alone.
Studies show that up to 45% of women report their birth as traumatic, and 1 in 3 experience some form of PTSD symptoms after childbirth. That’s a huge number of parents out there quietly carrying the weight of a birth that didn’t go as planned, feeling like they should just “move on” when it’s anything but simple. If that’s you, please know that your feelings are real, valid, and worth talking about.
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma isn’t just about what happened during your delivery—it’s about how it left you feeling. It might have been a sudden emergency, a loss of control, feeling dismissed by your care team, or pain that felt out of control. Birth trauma can look like tears that come without warning, panic at the thought of another birth, or feeling like your body betrayed you.
If your birth experience left you feeling more than just disappointed, if it feels like a wound that hasn’t healed, you might be dealing with birth trauma. And it’s not just in your head—it’s a real psychological impact that can affect your day-to-day life, relationships, and even how you bond with your baby.
Signs of Birth Trauma and Postpartum PTSD
Birth trauma can show up in many ways. You might notice:
- Recurrent thoughts or nightmares about the birth
- Flashbacks or feeling like you’re reliving the experience
- Hypervigilance, especially around your baby’s health or safety
- Avoidance of reminders like hospitals, birth stories, or even your own medical records
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from your baby or yourself
- Intense feelings of guilt, shame, or anger over how things went
If any of this hits home, you’re not alone—and you’re not overreacting.
How EMDR Can Help You Heal from Birth Trauma
One of the most effective therapies for birth trauma is EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR isn’t your typical talk therapy. It’s a powerful approach that helps your brain process and heal from trauma in a way that doesn’t require you to constantly relive the painful details.
Here’s how EMDR can help you heal:
Processing Traumatic Memories: EMDR helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they feel less raw, painful, and overwhelming. You don’t have to go through every gory detail; EMDR works by guiding your brain to naturally heal and file those memories away in a way that feels more manageable.
Reducing Triggers and Flashbacks: If you’ve been avoiding certain places, people, or even conversations about birth because they bring you right back to that moment, EMDR can help desensitize those triggers, making it easier to navigate your everyday life without the constant fear of being pulled back into the trauma.
Reconnecting with Your Body: After birth trauma, it’s common to feel disconnected or distrustful of your own body. EMDR helps you rebuild that trust by processing the experience in a way that brings compassion and understanding back into the picture.
Reclaiming Your Birth Story: Trauma often leaves us feeling powerless. EMDR can help you reframe your birth story, giving you back a sense of control and empowerment over what happened. It’s not about forgetting—it’s about finding a way to move forward without the weight of those memories pulling you down.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Birth trauma is real, and healing is possible. You deserve to feel seen, heard, and supported as you work through this experience. EMDR is just one of the ways we can help you find peace and reclaim your story. You don’t have to keep carrying this alone—let’s work together to help you feel whole again.
If you’re ready to take that first step, reach out. Let’s talk about how EMDR and other therapeutic supports can help you start healing today.