Birth trauma/PTSD resources for healing - Page 2

[jennica]

Originally Posted by mothercat

Thanks for posting Jennica. I went over to the birth trauma tribe and reposted my OP there.
Georgia and I discussed making this a sticky before I even put it up. She would like it to stay in the threads for a while because sometimes when they become stickies they are passed over in search of newer threads.

I have seen birth trauma/disappointing birth threads pop up here before but had no idea there was a tribe on MDC.
Is there a way to link these two threads together to make the support and the resources easier for women to find?

Midwifery Today is having a Hope and Healing conference in Ann Arbor, MI in May 2008. I really think it is time the midwifery community begin talking about and taking responsibility for the trauma we cause, even if inadvertent.

It's easy to blame physicians, but I don't think the midwives realize that many of their interventions and intercessions are also traumatic. We think we are doing good and when the woman doesn't perceive it that way, it must be her and not how we tried to help.

I feel a new thread coming on.

Thanks for posting this info on the traumatic birth tribe. I started it after seeing how many threads pop up here and elsewhere on this board and asking in Q & A if we could get a forum or a sticky for traumatic or disappointing births. I was told to start a tribe first, and so I did. I hope this can become a sticky after awhile, I obviously think it is really needed here.

[jennica]

Originally Posted by magstphil

i think i would have the same viewpoint of my MW if she hadn't called me 10 hours later while i was still in the hospital to tell me she thought i failed and not only that but she thought i wanted to fail. "you got out of the tub because you knew it was making you progress and you didn't want that. i have never seen someone create mental blocks to giving birth like that before. i learn something with every birth."

somebody please tell me i am not alone in thinking that that was completely wrong of her...

My midwife (CNM/hospital birth) came and sat on my bed the next the morning and told me that I did not labor "normally" and that I acted like a child and that it made it hard for them to do their job. This was the next morning after I gave birth! I wasn't even close to processing the birth yet, I was still on a birth high. After that for months, no years, even now to this day I often feel like I did something wrong, like I really messed it all up and it was all my fault that things got so out of hand. Of course, it was not at all my fault, but I think the midwife was trying to convince me that it was in order to relieve her own guilt after realizing that she had totally screwed up. Knowing what a vulnerable state of mind I was in, it was easy for her to pass the guilt off to me. It's sad that midwives sometimes use this tactic. Why they feel a need to imply that the woman did anything wrong is beyond me. It has to do with them and not with us.

[georgia]

Jennica, can you link to the Tribe here if you've not already done so? Thanks

[meowee]

Originally Posted by magstphil

i think i would have the same viewpoint of my MW if she hadn't called me 10 hours later while i was still in the hospital to tell me she thought i failed and not only that but she thought i wanted to fail. "you got out of the tub because you knew it was making you progress and you didn't want that. i have never seen someone create mental blocks to giving birth like that before. i learn something with every birth."

somebody please tell me i am not alone in thinking that that was completely wrong of her...

Yes, that's really bad... I can't imagine talking that way to anyone. My MW was saying stuff to me like, "You don't like to push" (not true). It's almost like they need to explain it their way, in their own minds, to make themselves feel better.

I do feel my MW failed me in afterbirth care. She never called me back for my follow up appt, so I never had one. I ended up getting terribly sick. I also needed stitches which she never did. I finally got stitched properly after my next birth.

[jennica]

Originally Posted by georgia

Jennica, can you link to the Tribe here if you've not already done so? Thanks

Oh yeah, here it is; disappointing, or traumatic birth experiences (and moving on from them) tribe

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by jennica

My midwife (CNM/hospital birth) came and sat on my bed the next the morning and told me that I did not labor "normally" and that I acted like a child and that it made it hard for them to do their job. This was the next morning after I gave birth! I wasn't even close to processing the birth yet, I was still on a birth high. After that for months, no years, even now to this day I often feel like I did something wrong, like I really messed it all up and it was all my fault that things got so out of hand. Of course, it was not at all my fault, but I think the midwife was trying to convince me that it was in order to relieve her own guilt after realizing that she had totally screwed up. Knowing what a vulnerable state of mind I was in, it was easy for her to pass the guilt off to me. It's sad that midwives sometimes use this tactic. Why they feel a need to imply that the woman did anything wrong is beyond me. It has to do with them and not with us.

that seriously just... what in the world are these women thinking? when my MW called me to tell me all that i wanted to say "Oh don't worry *insert her name here* you'll get your money" : i seriously felt like she was blaming me so i wouldn't call her on her incompetence and not pay her.

[jennica]

I just want to add a couple links.

First, if anyone is experiencing the symptoms of Postraumatic Stress Disorder, or if they find themselves to be very depressed about their birth experience and feel that they need to find help, here is a link that I think is very useful, Postpartum Support International

Keep in mind that trauma does not go away in time the same way that PPD will if untreated. It will keep popping up unless dealt with. Also, many therapists are not familiar with birth trauma, however, at least finding a therapist who is familiar with PPD and has worked with women on postpartum mood disorders is sometimes your best bet. In some cases there may be support groups in your area as well that a can be found through the link above.

Second, if therapy or a support group is out of the question for you, I have heard of many women having success with this technique; Emotional Freedom Technique. I have not personally tried this yet, but I intend to look into it. My therapist actually suggested it when I went through some financial difficulties and could not go to therapy for a couple months.

[mothercat]

jennica,
thanks for posting the PSI info. I should have checked here before I asked you to post this today.

[jennica]

Originally Posted by mothercat

jennica,
thanks for posting the PSI info. I should have checked here before I asked you to post this today.

Your welcome. I just saw your request on the other thread and figured you missed it here, so glad you saw it.

[Shanana]

Just wanted to post a few other things that can be helpful for dealing with trauma in general (so I feel they would be helpful for birth trauma as well). PTSD is known for being extremely resistant to traditional talk therapy, and more success is being found in "body-led" type therapies like EMDR, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, etc.

There is a wonderful, wonderful book (written by a highly trained psychologist with a medical degree and a Ph.D in Cognitive Neuroscience who has been converted to "alternative" therapies) that explains how the brain works, and why talk therapy is so often unsuccessful. It sounds like dry material, but it was absolutely fascinating. He spends many chapters on alternative methods of treatment that he has thoroughly researched. The book is called The Instinct to Heal, and you can find the author's website here (website includes links to organizations that can help you find practitioners of the various modalities he discusses, etc.).

It is a fast and fascinating read, and I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.

My personal experience has been healing trauma (related to birth as well as other things) through the use of craniosacral therapy, homeopathy, energy work and guided visualizations. I'm lucky enough to have found an amazing CS therapist as well as an incredible homeopath/healer who have acted as wonderful guides on my journey.

You can learn more about CST and find a pracitioner near you through the Upledger Insititute (www.upledger.com). I would advise finding a therapist who has the following classes at a minimum: CSI, CSI, SERI. SERII and one or more of the dialoging classes would be nice too.

[columbusmomma]

subbing

[mothercat]

bump
I need to add a note to this later tonight.

[mwherbs]

good list of things- maybe boiled down to a sticky or something so it can be found? ......

[smokeylo]

There is a birth trauma community on livejournal.

[mothercat]

A new article from MWT "Entering Motherhood with PTSD"
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articl...ing_trauma.asp

Linda

[mom2ewc]

PTSD help

I'm currently writing a white paper for ICAN on the topic of PTSD...and so many things are coming up. More info than I ever expected to see. It's so sad that so many women need to talk about their traumatic births.

I am one of these moms. I had very bad PTSD after my son's birth. I wrote about all the details here on my blog. If it would help you to know that you're not alone, you can read my story (I don't hold anything back!):
http://bostonhealthcoach.blogspot.com/

I'm still putting together the white paper... so I don't have all of my resources together yet... but I can say that there are a few resources that I think would be helpful for any moms who are trying to help themselves recover from PTSD.

1. The first thing that's so important is to know that it's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's real, and it stinks, but it's not your fault. But you will get better. Even if it feels like you won't. You will.

2. I want to encourage moms suffering from PTSD to sign up for a Conscious Woman webinar being done by Sharon Storton of Solace. I got the chance to listen in to Sharon's presentation last week, and it was amazing. SO many good facts and helpful info for moms who are suffering from PTSD. Here's the info:
http://www.consciouswoman.org/2007/1...ood-disorders/

3. EMDR is a treatment option that is proven to be VERY effective for trauma. If you go to a typical care provider, they won't officially diagnose you with PTSD unless you meet all 7 criteria from the DSM. But even if you only have one or two symptoms, you should seek treatment... because just one or two symptoms can totally wreak havoc on your life.

If left untreated, PTSD can linger, and can turn into generalized anxiety disorder or PPD, so please ask for help.

4. EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) helps you to release the emotions and trauma associated with your birth. It is usually effective in 2-4 sessions, and works fast. It is proven to work... and to learn more, you can go here:
http://www.emdr.com/

I'm looking to include mom's personal PTSD stories and examples in my PTSD white paper for ICAN... so if anyone is willing to share their story with me, I'd be honored to read it. My email is: [e-mail]

I'll post again once the white paper is done so you can see all the great resources and info available.

[aweynsayl]

ohmygosh, i am so excited we got a stickey for this! i am literally doing a happy dance. i'd given up on this, and here it is!!! huzzah.

thank you thank you thank you.
xoxoxoxoxox

i have to second the EFT, and also suggest the shortcut version, tapping.

yay!!!!!
thank you, and hugs and healing vibes to all.

[amitymama]

After a suggestion from Georgia that I place it here, I am sharing a link to a story I recently wrote for a feminist website on birth rape. It was also picked up and run by truebirth.com.

Not having suffered through birth trauma myself, I can only hope that I did the topic a modicum of justice. If anyone has feedback on how I couldn've improved it or what you liked, please feel free to let me know via PM or on this thread. Thank you!

[mothercat]

Telling your story of birth trauma/rape

Although there are other sites in other countries where you can submit your story, there is a new blog here in the US that is asking for submissions of stories about birth trauma and birth rape.

If you think this may be a healing experience for you, here is the link to Christy's blog spot.
www.thejourneyofanapprentice.blogspot.com

Her purpose in this request is to give a voice to women who have, and continue to suffer from what happened at the birth of their child or children. In a larger sense it will also let women know that they are not alone in what happened or how they are feeling.

[jennica]

Originally Posted by mothercat

Although there are other sites in other countries where you can submit your story, there is a new blog here in the US that is asking for submissions of stories about birth trauma and birth rape.

If you think this may be a healing experience for you, here is the link to Christy's blog spot.
www.thejourneyofanapprentice.blogspot.com

Her purpose in this request is to give a voice to women who have, and continue to suffer from what happened at the birth of their child or children. In a larger sense it will also let women know that they are not alone in what happened or how they are feeling.

The link doesn't work.

Also, just to note, this is someone's blog, not a website that has been set up specifically for birth trauma. It may be wise to read a few posts first and get a feel for where you are posting a very intimate part of yourself.