Birth Trauma

Like beauty, trauma is in the eye of the beholder. What may be experienced as traumatic to one individual may not impact other individuals in a similar manner. In both my personal and professional life, I have witnessed women struggle with the aftermath of a traumatic birth experience, frequently without support, compassion, or understanding. If the birth of your child did not go as planned and you are now struggling with intrusive thoughts or memories, difficulty sleeping, racing heart and rapid breathing, or intense sadness or tearfulness, these symptoms may be related to your traumatic birth. Unresolved birth trauma may negatively impact your relationship with your partner and your ability to bond with your newborn. I use EMDR to help women achieve relief from these symptoms and begin to fully embrace and enjoy motherhood.

Many of the women I work with have experienced:

• Failed Infertility Treatments • Early and Late Term Miscarriage • Still Birth • Newborn Illness or Death • Hospital Transfer During a Planned Home Birth • Inadequate Pain Relief • Cesarean Section • Infant Resuscitation • Unplanned Medical Intervention (Epidural, Foreceps, Vacuum, Episiotomy) • Fear of Injury or Death During Labor and Delivery • Birth Plan not Being Honored or Considered • Newborn Stay in NICU

Having delivered my son at home, I understand the importance of having a birth that is free of unplanned medical intervention. I understand the hopes and dreams that are involved in being pregnant and delivering a child. While society's message may be "At least you have a healthy baby" I understand that it can be traumatic when your child's birth does not go as planned.