From the Research
Traumatic birth experiences can have severe and long-lasting psychological impacts on mothers, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but with proper support, some mothers can experience posttraumatic growth, leading to increased personal strength, deeper appreciation for life, and improved relationships. The essential components of traumatic birth leading to psychological pain include feelings of loss of control, fear for one's life or the baby's life, perceived inadequate medical care, and lack of support during childbirth 1.
Short-term Impacts
The short-term impacts of psychological pain from traumatic childbirth include:
- Postpartum depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors These symptoms can be debilitating and affect a mother's ability to care for herself and her baby 2.
Long-term Impacts
The long-term impacts of traumatic birth experiences can be just as severe, including:
- Disrupted maternal-infant bonding
- Sexual dysfunction
- Fear of subsequent pregnancies (tokophobia)
- Chronic psychological distress that can persist for years after the birth These long-term impacts can have a significant effect on a mother's quality of life and relationships 3.
Posttraumatic Growth
However, some mothers can experience posttraumatic growth following traumatic childbirth experiences, including:
- Increased personal strength
- Deeper appreciation for life
- Enhanced empathy for others who have suffered
- Improved relationships through vulnerability and communication
- Advocacy work to improve maternity care systems These growth outcomes typically emerge through a process of meaning-making, where mothers integrate their traumatic experiences into their life narratives and find purpose in their suffering 1.
Prevention and Intervention
To prevent and intervene in traumatic birth experiences, it is essential to provide care that minimizes negative birth experiences, respects women's rights, and prevents maltreatment and obstetric violence 1. This can include:
- Trauma-informed care
- Midwifery-led antenatal and postnatal interventions
- Early identification of risk factors for birth trauma
- Postnatal counseling and support By providing this type of care, we can reduce the risk of traumatic birth experiences and promote positive outcomes for mothers and families 2, 3.