I'd be fine if everyone else just stopped having babies already.

[47chromosomes]

After a traumatic home to hospital birth 6 weeks ago, any mention of labor or birth, or anything newborn related, just feels like scratching a wound.  We are so fortunate that our baby and I are are both healthy and thriving.  There were no lasting effects from our birth and the complications we experienced during and after.  And thankfully as the weeks pass I think about our birth less and less so it does not continually haunt me as it did at first.  Thank goodness.  But every time birth or newborn stuff comes up (for friends, on TV, on facebook...), well, I am just brought right back to that delivery room, and all I can think about is how scared I was.

[MsBlack]

Of course the mention of birth, babies and all can bring you back to your own fear and what you experienced at birth...that is to be expected following a traumatic birth.  Let the waves pass as best you can, accept how you feel when you feel it, and know that in time those waves will come less intensely and less often.  You will heal.  I'm so glad to know that you and baby are doing well, under the circumstances.  Talk to us as you  need to, find support IRL if you feel it would help.  Sending hugs and support!

[sosurreal09]

[lunarlady]

Triggering events are one sign of PTSD. You might want to do a quick self assessment to decide if you should get some help processing what happened to you. I'm 4 months out from mine, and still processing the event. Hugs to you and hope that time dulls the memory of the pain and fear you experienced.

[47chromosomes]

lunar lady, what are the symptoms of PTSD.  Triggering events are definitely a problem, but I guess I figure it is still early.  On one hand I just don't know what I could do, on my own or with a therapist, that would really help aside from letting the emotions and memories become less intense as time passes.  On the other hand if we ever face giving birth again...  Oh boy...  I don't know what I would do.

[lunarlady]

The first thing that is considered a sign of PTSD is the initial experience. You have to have experienced something where you felt your death or the death of a loved one was possible, immanent, or unavoidable, along with a feeling of loss of control or powerlessness.

Once you have gone through this type of experience, signs of PTSD can include:
-triggering events, images, or visual/audio clips that cause flashbacks, a reliving of the sensations of the experience, or a feeling of fear or powerlessness.
-insomnia, troubled dreams, early waking
-a feeling of forboding, like death has been delayed, cheated, or cannot be avoided
-Avoidance of all things associated with the event.


Here is a good resource about PTSD signs and symptoms.

Note that it is normal to experience all these symptoms immediately following a traumatic event. But with PTSD, the symptoms do not go away with time, and can even get worse. You are right on the edge of where you should start to see a marked improvement. 4-6 weeks out is when they say your mental healing should start lessining the flashbacks, fear memory, and triggers.