
- #Birth trauma how to
- #Birth trauma professional
lack of interest in sex and shunning physical contact.poor self-image and feeling inadequate (BTA 2009).fear of giving birth in the future (NICE 2011: 30, BTA 2009).revisiting images of labour and birth (Elmir et al 2010, BTA 2009).If, as the weeks and months go by, you recognise the following signs and symptoms, seek support from your GP or health visitor: It may be taking longer to come to terms with your birth experience than you, or those close to you, expected. The way you feel about and cope with what happened will be unique to you (Shaban et al 2013). What are the effects of a traumatic birth?The effects of a traumatic birth vary from woman to woman. These can all leave you with emotional scars after the birth (Ayres et al 2015,BTA 2009, Ford et al 2009, Ayres 2006). Perhaps you didn't feel that your midwife was listening to you, or that you lacked support from other hospital staff (Elmir et al 2010). Or you may have felt intense disappointment that the birth didn't go as you'd hoped (BTA 2009). You may have felt powerless, or unclear about exactly what happened during the birth (Elmir et al 2010, BTA 2009).
These are distressing in themselves, but the emotional after-effects of a traumatic birth can last for some time.Ī difficult birth is not always linked to a traumatic birth event. This may have left you with physical problems, such as an infection, piles or incontinence (RCOG 2011). You may have had a complication, such as a severe tear, or needed to have an assisted birth (Shaban et al 2013, BTA 2009). What is a traumatic birth?If you suffered distress when you gave birth it's called a traumatic, or difficult, birth. What if I can't get the answers I need about my birth experience?.How can I recover from a traumatic birth?.
What are the effects of a traumatic birth?. Empowerment and choice – Offer the woman a choice about any follow-up, signposting / onward referral or no further intervention. Be clear about confidentiality and its limits. Trustworthiness and transparency – Do what you say you will. Reliably follow-up on any actions agreed. Safety – bring any detailed discussion of the traumatic experience to an end if the woman shows emotional distress such that continuing would be counterproductive. Provide space for listening if the woman wishes to share her experiences. Collaboration – ensuring the woman’s active and ongoing consent to continuing the discussion. If a new mother shows symptoms of trauma about her birth experience, professionals should follow the principles of trauma-informed care. These include: It should be noted that to reduce any risk of re-traumatisation, any initial disclosure of trauma should be sensitively handled and the woman’s active consent to the referral for specialist support should be ensured. Some women may benefit from psychological support when they have experienced birth-related trauma. This may include therapeutic input for women experiencing a fear of childbirth due to a previous traumatic birth. Where this is identified, the woman should be referred to the Leeds Perinatal Mental Health Service for specialist support. Unfortunately, some women may experience the delivery of their baby as a traumatic experience. This may include experiencing symptoms such as intrusive images and memories of the birth experience, disturbing dreams, and heightened emotion when talking about the experience. Leeds Perinatal Mental Health Service can provide specialist support for women experiencing birth trauma or who are experiencing a fear of childbirth due to a previous traumatic delivery. When a woman discloses that the delivery of her baby was traumatic, professionals should emphasise that any further discussion is based on the woman’s consent to speak, safety, being trustworthy, and emphasising her choice regarding any next steps. Substance misuse and alcohol during pregnancy. Support for GPs, frontline staff and other professionals. Pregnancy and new parents self-help resources. MindWell self-help resources library More Close. What to do if you’re really concerned about a colleague. How mental health is covered by the Equality Act. Work stress: your responsibilities as an employer. Finding mental health training for staff. #Birth trauma how to
How to improve wellbeing in your workplace. MindWell at Work: a guide for Leeds employers More Close. Mental health and suicide prevention training. Coronavirus resources for professionals. #Birth trauma professional
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