Our birth circle leader has asked me to lead a discussion on birth trauma for our next birth circle meeting (very AP/NFL group). I think she asked me, because I'm currently the only mother in our group who has had what she considers a traumatic birth.
I'm interested in what some of you think I should talk about that would be relevant to mothers of childbearing age, all who have had at least one birth that they thought went well. What sorts of things should be addressed under the "birth trauma" topic?
Here were some of my ideas:
Causes of Trauma and How to Prevent
* it can happen anywhere, with anyone (mw, ob, uc, hospital, birth center, home)
* transfer to hospital (how to cope, having a birth plan written, choosing a hospital)
* cascade of interventions at hospital (talking to nurses/mws/obs, informed consent, patients' rights)
* neonatal care (baby health plan, standing up to nurses/pediatricians, after labor support for mom & baby)
* PPD (how to identify, how to seek treatment)
* identification generally manifests 6-7mo after the birth
Healing Birth Trauma
* call it what it is and stand up for yourself
* healing is a process, not a goal, much like grief and loss
* dealing with the "anniversary" in a healthy way
??????
I guess that's where I need the help - the second part, about healing birth trauma. Aside from not letting anyone tell me "oh, it's fine - you should be happy you have a healthy baby," I really don't know how to address that part of the discussion.
Anything that could be added/taken away/edited is welcome! Thanks for helping with the discussion.
I'm interested in what some of you think I should talk about that would be relevant to mothers of childbearing age, all who have had at least one birth that they thought went well. What sorts of things should be addressed under the "birth trauma" topic?
Here were some of my ideas:
Causes of Trauma and How to Prevent
* it can happen anywhere, with anyone (mw, ob, uc, hospital, birth center, home)
* transfer to hospital (how to cope, having a birth plan written, choosing a hospital)
* cascade of interventions at hospital (talking to nurses/mws/obs, informed consent, patients' rights)
* neonatal care (baby health plan, standing up to nurses/pediatricians, after labor support for mom & baby)
* PPD (how to identify, how to seek treatment)
* identification generally manifests 6-7mo after the birth
Healing Birth Trauma
* call it what it is and stand up for yourself
* healing is a process, not a goal, much like grief and loss
* dealing with the "anniversary" in a healthy way
??????
I guess that's where I need the help - the second part, about healing birth trauma. Aside from not letting anyone tell me "oh, it's fine - you should be happy you have a healthy baby," I really don't know how to address that part of the discussion.
Anything that could be added/taken away/edited is welcome! Thanks for helping with the discussion.