Birth Trauma: What It Is and How to Heal
We often hear that giving birth is supposed to be beautiful and empowering. And while that’s true for some, for others, it can be really hard, even traumatic.
If your birth didn’t go how you expected, or if you still feel shaken, sad, or anxious when you think about it, you’re not alone. What you went through matters, and healing is absolutely possible.
So, What Exactly Is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma happens when something during pregnancy, labor, or delivery leaves a lasting emotional impact. It isn’t just about physical complications; it’s about how the experience made you feel.
You might have felt:
Scared for your life or your baby’s
ignored or dismissed by medical staff
Powerless during decisions about your care
Overwhelmed by unexpected procedures
Pain that wasn’t taken seriously
Sometimes, even if everything “looked fine” from the outside, it can still feel like something inside of you broke a little. That’s okay to acknowledge.
How Common Is This (Especially in Pennsylvania)?
More people experience birth trauma than most realize, especially here in Pennsylvania.
In a Pennsylvania study, almost half (47.5%) of birthing parents said they feared they or their baby might be hurt or die during delivery.
Around 7.5% showed early signs of PTSD just one month postpartum.
Between 2016 and 2022, the state saw a 40% increase in serious health complications after childbirth.
About 1 in 5 Pennsylvanian moms experience postpartum depression or anxiety.
And about 13% report being mistreated during childbirth, things like being ignored, spoken to harshly, or not feeling in control.
Those numbers are heavy, but they also remind us that if you felt afraid, unseen, or traumatized during your birth, you’re far from alone.
How Birth Trauma Can Show Up
Birth trauma can show up in lots of ways, some obvious, some quiet. You might notice:
Flashbacks or nightmares about giving birth
Feeling anxious or panicky around hospitals or doctors
Struggling to bond with your baby
Feeling guilty, numb, or detached
Avoiding anything that reminds you of your birth
Sometimes these overlap with postpartum depression or anxiety, which is why getting gentle, trauma-informed support can make such a difference.
Ways to Begin Healing
Healing from birth trauma takes time and there’s no “right” way to do it. But there are steps that can help you move toward peace little by little.
1. Name What Happened
It’s okay to say, “That was traumatic for me.” You don’t need to minimize it or justify it. Acknowledging your experience is powerful and valid.
2. Find Safe Support
Talk with someone who understands, a trauma-informed therapist, support group, or trusted loved one. You deserve care that feels safe and steady.
3. Reconnect with Your Body
Gentle movement like walking, stretching, or breathwork can help you feel grounded again. You went through a lot; your body deserves kindness.
4. Let People In
It’s okay to ask for help! whether that’s childcare, meals, or someone to just listen. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it grows in community.
5. Reclaim Your Story
Journaling, therapy, or creative expression can help you rewrite what birth means to you. You survived something hard and that deserves to be honored.
You Deserve to Heal
If any of this sounds familiar, please take a deep breath. What happened to you wasn’t your fault. You are not broken.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting, it means finding peace again, one small step at a time.
At Forward Wellness, our team offers compassionate, trauma-informed care for parents navigating life after birth trauma. Whether you’re processing, grieving, or learning to feel safe in your body again, we’re here to help you heal at your own pace.
Resources & References
American Psychological Association – Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues
Birth Trauma Association – Understanding Birth Trauma
Postpartum Support International – Birth Trauma Resources
Ayers, S., & Ford, E. (2019). Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth, British Journal of Psychiatry
Pennsylvania Department of Health – Maternal Health & Infant Care Data Briefs
The Philadelphia Inquirer (2023) – Maternal Morbidity on the Rise in Pennsylvania
