I often hear from parents that their birth experiences have left them feeling overwhelmed emotionally. Very often these feelings fade over the first few weeks and months after your baby is born. However, for parents, especially mothers, the feeling of being overwhelmed, helpless, or scared during birth (whatever birth looked like) can stay with them long after their baby is born. These intense emotions can lead to lasting fears, sadness, or even post-traumatic stress. Birth trauma can shake your sense of safety, leaving you feeling alone in your experience.

Please know that you are not alone. I have worked with many parents who have experienced traumatic births and are able to heal emotionally and adjust. You might need an opportunity and space to tell your story and really slow it down so that you are able to make sense of the emotional aspects of their experience. You also might consider Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing as a way to process the distress and start to feel better.