According to the NIH, 45% of new mothers report experiencing birth trauma.
Our birth experience is our very first entry into the world. It imprints upon us, a notion of how safe the environment is, how safe we are and what it's like to be alive. This imprint sets the stage for the rest of our lives, influencing our nervous system and everything from our ability to form relationships to our capacity for learning and emotional regulation. What happens if our birth was traumatic?
Maybe you're wondering if the challenges you've repeatedly come up against are in some way connected to your birth process. Perhaps you're aware that you had a traumatic birth but you're not sure how to heal. It's really common to wonder whether birth trauma is a 'real thing' and to feel like you're clutching at straws trying to explain something you can't even really describe. Maybe, like many of my clients, you've been to therapy in the past but it hasn't helped. If so, you're not alone.
In this article, I will discuss
What is birth trauma and why it's not just what happens during the birth process
What the different types of birth trauma
The factors that put women more at risk of experiencing traumatic birth including their own childhood trauma
Signs of birth trauma in babies and children
Signs of birth trauma in adults
Adult PTSD and chronic health conditions caused by their early childhood birth trauma
How to release birth trauma from your nervous system and heal
What Exactly Is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma affects both the mother and baby. In many cases, the whole family system comes under extreme strain and often there are deeper layers of trauma and dysfunction that may not be conscious. It's important to note that birth trauma is not just what happens during the birth process, but also in conception, during pregnancy and in the post partum period too.
I work with women (and sometimes their children) to heal the root causes of birth trauma so that they can move forward with clarity and confidence. I also work with adults who are experiencing PTSD symptoms partly or entirely due to their traumatic birth as babies.
This healing is possible, and requires deep work at a somatic and energetic level, and a rebirthing of the entire energy system into a field of stillness and safety. Most of the examples below come are based on real client cases. If you identify and are looking to heal please reach out to me for a consultation.
Can you get PTSD from Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma and related issues are more common than many people realize. Unresolved birth trauma can resurface in adulthood, manifesting as PTSD symptoms. Even if consciously forgotten, the imprints of a difficult birth may lie dormant. During pregnancy, as many as 1 in 5 women grapple with depression, while up to 13% face anxiety disorders. The birth itself brings its own risks, with 9% of women experiencing PTSD symptoms afterward. In the postpartum period, 10-20% of new mothers battle depression, and up to 17% struggle with anxiety. Even fathers aren't immune, with 3-5% experiencing depression in the first year after birth. Here are some stats:
30% of women experience a traumatic birth and about 6% end up with PTSD.
Up to 20% of women experience depression during pregnancy (WHO, 2020).
25-34% of women report their births as traumatic (Journal of Perinatal Education, 2015).
Nearly 10% of women get diagnosed with PTSD following childbirth (Journal of Affective Disorders, 2016).
10-20% of new mothers experience postpartum depression (CDC, 2020).
Up to 17% of mothers experience postpartum anxiety (Journal of Women's Health, 2015).
These statistics highlight the prevalence of trauma throughout the reproductive journey. It's important to note that experiences vary widely, and many people go through these stages without significant trauma. However, the numbers underscore the need for awareness, support, and proper care throughout conception, pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Factors that Increase the Likelihood of Experiencing Birth Trauma
Birth trauma can affect anyone, but from my experience, most of the women that i've worked with had several pre disposing factors that contributed to their experience of a traumatic birth.
The first one is their own experience of childhood trauma - particularly sexual trauma. They were often not aware that that had been sexually abused until long after they gave birth. Sexual abuse in childhood can affect not just women's connection to their womb and pelvis but also the actual structural alignment of the hips and pelvic area. This can lead to birthing complications.
Secondly, the unresolved trauma from their childhood often resulted in living in a state of almost constant nervous system dysregulation, chronic stress and an inability to self soothe.
Many of the women have had a history of chronic health conditions because of this, as well as psychological symptoms such as high levels of anxiety, fear and body dysmorphia. Another common trauma that precedes birth trauma is miscarriage.
When miscarriage happens and has not been healed, it becomes very difficult to feel a sense of connection and trust with your womb. This can affect the pregnancy and also the birthing process. Listen to my podcast on healing your womb after a miscarriage here
Birth Trauma Risk Factors - What the Research Says
Prior mental health disorders and poor quality of provider interaction are risk factors for birth trauma (Simpson & Catling, 2016). Women who are survivors of sexual abuse are at risk for retraumatization during childbearing (LoGiudice, 2016). There are other risk factors that include:
Unplanned Cesarean Section: A study in the Archives of Women's Mental Health (2017) found that women who had emergency C-sections were 6 times more likely to develop PTSD compared to those with vaginal births.
Lack of Support During Labor: The Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing (2015) reported that continuous support during labor reduced the risk of a negative birth experience by 34%.
History of Sexual Trauma: A study in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (2018) found that women with a history of sexual trauma were 12% more likely to perceive their birth as traumatic.
Prolonged Labor: Research in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) showed that labor lasting over 12 hours increased the risk of birth trauma by 2.5 times.
High Levels of Pain: A study in Birth (2014) found that women reporting high levels of pain were 3 times more likely to develop PTSD symptoms.
Loss of Control: Feeling a lack of control during birth is a significant factor. The Journal of Perinatal Education (2015) reported that 34% of women who felt a loss of control during birth described their experience as traumatic.
Premature Birth: Having a premature baby increases trauma risk. According to the Journal of Perinatology (2019), mothers of preterm infants had a 40% higher rate of PTSD symptoms compared to those with full-term births
Multiple medical Interventions: A study in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2017) found that each additional medical intervention increased the odds of perceiving birth as traumatic by 20%.
Poor Communication from Healthcare Providers: The Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology (2016) reported that women who felt poorly informed during birth were 5 times more likely to report trauma symptoms.
Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions: Prior mental health issues can increase vulnerability. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Affective Disorders (2016) found that women with a history of depression or anxiety were 3 times more likely to develop PTSD following childbirth.
Examples of Pre Birth / Conception Trauma
The experiences and circumstances surrounding your conception and early prenatal development can have profound impacts on your life. These pre-birth and conception traumas, while often overlooked, can shape our physical, emotional, and psychological well-being in ways we're only beginning to understand. From ancestral trauma to parental stress, from environmental factors to societal pressures, the origins of our earliest life experiences are complex and far-reaching.
Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
Conception through rape or sexual assault
Parental conflict or domestic violence
Unwelcome feelings about pregnancy
Fertility struggles or IVF-related stress
Parental conflict / separation during pregnancy
Maternal stress, fear, or depression
Previous pregnancy loss or stillbirth
Severe financial stress before conception
Relationship breakdown prior to pregnancy
Failed abortion attempt
Ancestral or generational trauma
Maternal sexual trauma before pregnancy
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Body image issues and low self worth
Maternal eating disorders before pregnancy
Traumatic experiences during previous births
Parental unresolved childhood trauma
Parental substance abuse or addiction prior to conception
Examples of Embryonic Trauma & Fetal Stress
The nine months you spent in the womb weren't just a prelude - they were the opening chapter of your life, filled with experiences that would shape your future. As an embryo and fetus, you were remarkably sensitive to your environment. Everything from your mother's stress levels to the foods she ate, from environmental toxins to family dynamics, played a role in your development. These early influences, known as embryonic trauma and fetal stress, can have lasting effects on your physical and emotional well-being.
Let's explore some examples of these prenatal experiences and how they might have set the stage for your life journey.
Traumatic vaginal examination
Attempted abortion
Maternal substance abuse (alcohol, drugs)
Maternal infections
Exposure to environmental toxins
Maternal physical trauma (accidents, falls)
Pre-eclampsia
Maternal chronic illness
Maternal depression and use of anti depressants
Maternal sleep deprivation
Use of synthetic medication
Intrauterine growth restriction
Loss of a twin during pregnancy
Invasive prenatal testing
Sexual abuse during pregnancy
Domestic violence during pregnancy
Severe stress and childhood trauma resurfacing during pregnancy
Common Experiences of Trauma During Birth
Birth trauma isn't just about physical complications - it encompasses a range of experiences that can leave lasting impacts on both mother and child. From unexpected medical interventions to emotional distress, the moments surrounding birth can shape the early bonds between parent and child, and influence long-term well-being. In this exploration of birth trauma examples, we'll look at various scenarios that can turn this life-changing event into a source of stress or difficulty.
Below are some examples.
Emergency C-section
Forceps delivery that affects cranial structure
Nuchal cord birth asphyxia
Breech birth
Premature birth
Medical errors or complications
Induction complications
Infection
Severe tearing or episiotomy
Birth-related injuries to the mother or baby
Fetal distress
Maternal seizures during labor
Extreme dissociation and disconnection during birth
Near-death experience during birth
Extreme loss of blood
Intense fear and distress
Difficult or prolonged labor
Use of forceps or vacuum extraction
Need for surgical intervention
Retained placenta
Unexpected stillbirth
Loss of a twin during birth
Inadequate pain relief
Feeling unheard during the birth process
Being disrespected or overruled by medical staff
Not having your birthing plan taken seriously
Not being informed about the consequences of medical interventions
Not giving consent for medical procedures that were carried out
Unplanned home birth or birth en route to hospital
Feeling loss of control or helplessness during birth
Witnessing partner's distress during birth (for non-birthing partners)
Postpartum Trauma Examples
While often portrayed as a time of pure joy, the reality can be far more complex. Postpartum trauma is a significant but often overlooked aspect of new parenthood that can affect both mothers and fathers.
From physical recovery complications to mental health struggles, from bonding difficulties to unexpected life changes, the postpartum period can present a variety of challenges.
In this exploration of postpartum trauma examples, we'll shed light on the diverse experiences that can turn this transformative time into one of unexpected difficulty.
Traumatic experiences with healthcare providers
Physical illness or infections / UTI's
Dissociation
Depersonalisation
Memory loss
Overwhelm
Feelings of depression
Blood clots
Vaginal tears
Physical birth injuries (to mother or baby)
Postpartum hemorrhage
Unexpected health complications with your baby
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stays
Difficulty with breastfeeding
Insomnia and sleep deprivation
Nightmares
Lack of emotional, physical or financial support from your partner
Postpartum psychosis
Flashbacks of the birth
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Neonatal weight loss
Feelings of grief
Feelings of anger or rage
Feeling like a failure
Feeling broken or inherently wrong
Feeling ashamed
Relationship breakdown
Domestic violence
Social isolation
Loss of identity
Postpartum thyroiditis or other hormonal issues
Pelvic Floor dysfunction
Incontinence after birth
PTSD
Anxiety and constant worry
Insomnia
Body dysmorphia
Emotional eating
Low libido / fear of sexual intimacy
Disgust towards your womb / body
Feelings of disgust / anger towards your baby
Intrusive thoughts
Self harm
Suicidal ideation
Common Signs of Birth Trauma in Babies & Children
Cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy are two frequently encountered birth injuries. Cerebral palsy results from brain damage occurring during the birthing process, potentially affecting a child's muscle control, balance, coordination, and overall ability to move. On the other hand, Erb's palsy stems from injury to the brachial plexus nerves, which can impair movement in the neck, arms, and hands.
If you notice any signs that might indicate a birth injury in your child, it's crucial to consult a medical professional immediately. Early detection and intervention can be vital in managing these conditions and improving outcomes for affected children.
However, not all birth trauma is physically evident - for many of the mother's I have worked with, the emotional trauma is significant.
Physical Signs of Birth Trauma in Children
Developmental delays
Blindness, deafness, or muteness
Abnormalities in the shape of the skull
Skull fractures
Facial nerve injury
Spinal cord injury
Loose or lack of muscle tone in the arms
Stiff or rigid limbs
Hypermobility
Appearing floppy like a ragdoll
Lack of muscle control or muscle spasms (spasticity)
Failure to crawl
Not turning their head when hearing loud noises
Difficulty feeding
Excessive drooling
Respiratory issues such as asthma
Eczema
Cerebral palsy
Cross eyes or divergent eyes
Vision and/or hearing problems
Seizure disorders
Weak or absent reflexes
Emotional, Psychological & Behavioural Signs of Birth Trauma in Children
Avoidance of eye contact
Irritability or difficulty soothing
Extreme hypervigilance
Overwhelming fear or rage outbursts
Inconsolable crying or screaming
Excessive startle response to any noise or movement
Excessive crying or fussiness
Fear or avoidance of certain objects or activities,
Hyperactivity or attention disorder
Severe sleep disturbances or nightmares
Regression of toilet training or language acquisition
Difficulty with social interactions or forming attachments
Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches with no medical cause
Inconsolable crying or screaming
Prolonged periods of intense crying or distress.
Pushing away from the mother during feeding
Showing aversion or discomfort during feeding sessions.
Inability to feed without extreme discomfort
Experiencing pain or discomfort during feeding.
Hypersensitivity to touch
Unable to draw straight lines or circles
Unable to speak or understand full sentences
Physical Symptoms of Unresolved Birth Trauma in Adults
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, characterized by extreme fatigue that doesn't improve with rest and can worsen with physical or mental activity.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it, and characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
A history of suicidal tendencies or persistent suicidal thoughts from childhood into adulthood, indicating underlying emotional distress or trauma.
Learning Disabilities, conditions that affect the brain's ability to process information and may impact learning, reading, writing, or mathematical skills.
Nightmares and flashbacks related to confinement in the womb or traumatic experiences, experiencing vivid and distressing dreams or recollections of birth trauma.
Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (as a symptom, not a root cause), which can manifest in symptoms like impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulty focusing.
Asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to breathing difficulties.
Seizures and Epilepsy since childhood, experiencing recurrent episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can result in seizures.
Chronic pain, particularly in the back or pelvic area, which may be persistent and debilitating.
Digestive issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or acid reflux, characterized by abdominal discomfort, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.
Long-term hormonal imbalances or irregular menstrual cycles, which can affect mood, energy levels, and reproductive health.
Chronic tension or headaches, persistent discomfort or pain in the head or neck region.
Chronic illnesses or autoimmune disorders, conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.
Sensitivity to light or sound, experiencing discomfort or pain in response to exposure to bright lights or loud noises.
Skin disorders or rashes, characterized by abnormalities or irritation on the skin's surface.
Reproductive issues such as infertility or difficult pregnancies, facing challenges with conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term.
Chronic respiratory issues such as bronchitis or pneumonia, experiencing recurrent inflammation or infections of the respiratory tract.
Chronic or recurring infections, persistent infections that may require ongoing treatment or management.
Cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure or heart disease, conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Emotional & Psychological Signs of Birth Trauma
Intense and overwhelming fear almost constantly, for no reason
Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness
Feeling drained and exhausted like you've run a marathon every day
Feeling of being completely unsupported
Feeling of dread around your own existence
Sense of the world being inherently dangerous
Constant and irrational fear of death
Intense anxiety or panic attacks
Avoidance of anything related to pregnancy or childbirth
Feeling disconnected from your own body or emotions
Difficulty forming or maintaining intimate relationships
Constantly feelings of shame or guilt related to your mother
Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness
Anger or irritability with no trigger
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in the world
Feelings of being stuck or trapped
Intrusive thoughts
Hypercritical inner narrative based on blame
Flashbacks and reliving the birth experience
Feelings of numbness or dissociation
Difficulty regulating emotions or feeling overwhelmed by them
Self-destructive behaviour or thoughts of self-harm.
Difficulty bonding with your child or feeling disconnected from them
Overprotective or hypervigilant behavior towards your child
Postpartum depression or anxiety
Recurrent nightmares
A sense of guilt or responsibility
Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless about the future
Difficulty with self-care or self-nurturing behaviors
Substance abuse or addiction
Difficulty setting and maintaining boundaries in relationships
Hypersensitivity to sounds, smells, or other sensory stimuli
Why Birth Trauma Can Be Difficult To Recognise
Most adults with unresolved birth trauma have already been diagnosed with a chronic health condition. This makes it harder to realise the root causes occurred much earlier in the development of the nervous system.
Firstly, most people don't know the details of their birth or their mother's emotional state, what she was going through, how connected she even was to her own womb. It's not really something people talk about over the dinner table right? As a result, unless it was an explicitly traumatic medical emergency it's very common to not even know what your own birth was actually like.
Pre-verbal trauma also doesn't offer solid memory which can make you feel lost in the dark when it comes to finding the root causes of your symptoms. This is where I help my clients get crystal clear on what trauma is being held in their body.
Another reason why birth trauma is hard to identify is because as the primal nervous system is already in fight or flight and the energy body is in a fear state, other layers of trauma and dysregulation build up through life and so the original birth trauma often becomes fossilised. This means by the time you're an adult looking to heal, there are many layers of trauma possibly including the birth of your own children, that need to be cleared and integrated, as well as your own birth experience.
The longer trauma is left untreated, the more complex the nervous system adaptations are and the more ingrained the patterns of fear are. These are unspoken and often unspeakable - after all, as a tiny baby you would have no way to speak about your distress. This is why most therapies such as CBT, psychotherapy and surface level energy work do not help when it comes to resolving birth trauma. It is important to do depth healing work, deep somatic integration and womb work with someone like myself, in a safe and long term container. You will not resolve birth trauma without doing the precursory healing work to allow yourself to drop into these deeper layers.
This means you are able to release deeper layers and actually fundamentally change your nervous system and as a result, your beliefs about yourself and your life. The other aspect that makes healing birth trauma tricky is that there is an ancestral component to the process and therefore deep ancestral healing of the feminine line is vital, as it offers a completion of the process.
How Do You Release Birth Trauma From Your Body?
Birth trauma can profoundly impact the nervous system, often leading to long-lasting dysregulation. Traumatic births can disrupt the delicate balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, potentially leaving you stuck in states of hyperarousal or shutdown.
Releasing this trauma involves a multi-faceted approach.
Somatic integration can support the direct release of fear and grief from your nervous system.
Meanwhile, my unique approach to clearing in utero imprints that have become trapped in the early primal nervous system, brain and energy body requires deeper energy work because the imprints are more subtle and are often buried under layers of other traumatic events. It's also important to do the psychological healing work to understand how your deeper belief systems have been shaped by your early childhood trauma and birth, including your attachment style.
The mechanisms behind these healing approaches are complex, involving neuroplasticity, improved interoception, vagal tone modulation, and trauma memory reconsolidation.
By enhancing embodiment and balancing the biofield, these techniques work to process trauma held in both the physical and energetic body. To get started you might like to try listening to my guided healing session below.
If birth trauma is affecting your day to day functioning, you should seek a qualified somatic trauma professional like myself to help you. Healing is possible when the fear imprints are resolved.
I work with adults who have experienced birth trauma and also support the child if they are under the age of 9 and are also struggling with trauma symptoms. If you had a particularly challenging birth experience I support an energetic rebirthing where you get to completely re-experience your birth in a safe and harmonious way.
For many women and their children this is a transformative and deeply healing experience. Rebirthing is done after several sessions of nervous system integration and womb clearing so that the energy body is free to rebirth in stillness and safety.
If you are interested to do this to heal yourself and your child please book a consultation with me to discuss your situation and healing path. I work globally and do all the healing work live via distance so you will feel the effects immediately.
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Healing Birth Trauma- What My Clients Say
"I entered Womb Room with an open curiosity and some trepidation, but with hopes of getting to know more about how I came into this world. I was an emergency C-Section and planned adoption; I was born in a nursing home in London. I believe my adoptive parents collected me when I was two weeks old. The first days of Womb precipitated huge physical releases. On one occasion, during the second healing session it felt as if ‘stuff’ was being pulled from my body because it was no longer needed. I had jaw tremors on several occasions and heat, tingles and prickles all over my body, particularly the skin on my face. As we moved into the second half of the journey, I realised that Womb was expansive, spacious and nurturing. The answers I had been looking for, in relation to my birth and biological mother, were not there. However in their place was a sense of knowing that ‘not knowing’ was exactly perfect and that Womb was always there for me and would keep me safe. The need to understand and have my curiosity satisfied was just unnecessary and meaningless. At the end of the journey, my sense is that in letting go of ‘the need to know’ I have become more embodied, more at one with the universe and myself, and with that - recognising that we are all one. I am my biological mother, just as she is me. With this knowledge came limitless freedom within me.” -Sara, UK
"During the session I felt a lot of chemical release. Lots of release in the brain, I literally felt the top of my left shoulder nerve by nerve being plucked and rewired. Both my masculine and feminine side being stretched and rested. Lots of work in my liver.Saw myself in utero. It felt like the only time I connected with my mother and father together.... the only time they were in unison. The only time I felt deeply loved by my father. So much coughing and air moving through me and my womb. I was holding myself... rocking myself slowly like a small child letting her know she is safe. That we are one. That it’s okay to feel. You are loved little one, you are loved. I remember seeing pink and blue and a quick flash of utero, a deep red rose, rainbows, and light beam. Oh I also saw what I perceive to be the universe I’m not really sure. I saw a the colors of the earth spinning with a hole in the middle? I love you all so much <3 I surrender and bow down to womb and all of my fellow womb warriors."
"Wow Safa! I went into my birth process! My upper body movements reflected me going through the birthing canal and when I came out and saw what’s around me, I started laughing! A proper belly laugh, thinking: what the heck is this world? It looks so funny! And everyone is so serious! 😆 it filled me with so much joy ✨ and these past two days new things have been coming to me, offers, people, new thoughts, new plans... combined with the last new moon, Safa your super powerful healing and the energy of this Womb Room is a magical combo!!!" 🙌🏼 Simona - UK
"Wow today was really gentle and uplifting. I had some powerful imagery that i was centred to the earth initially from an umbilical cord, then I transformed into a foetus and was protected by the earths core then was born onto the earth and transformed into an adult that was deeply rooted from my nerves all the way back to the earths core. I was earth and earth was me. It was beautiful and powerful."
"I came into Womb Room with a number of areas to be healed including a Womb full of anger and physical pain. Since my first pregnancy i have bled heavily every month for 9 yrs. I tried every diet and lots of therapies all which gave me some short term relief. I never got to the root cause. In Womb Room I met my anger and realised i was angry with my womb because i didn't give birth vaginally. I also got to understand why i didn't have a vaginal birth - as i didn't feel that I was good enough. A theme that has played out in my life for the past 43yrs. "-Orla, Ireland
You can read more testimonials here
References and Sources Used to Write this Article