Pregnancy and postpartum: How traumatic pregnancies, miscarriages and birth trauma can increase symptoms of medical trauma from a DC therapist.
What is the perinatal period?
The perinatal period is the period for new moms from conception through the first full year postpartum. This period takes into account the entire pregnancy and post-birthing issues like breastfeeding or hormonal fluctuations.
What is perinatal mental health?
Therapists with a specialty in perinatal mental health have extensive training in issues unique to pregnant and postpartum moms, like perinatal anxiety or postpartum depression, as well as birth trauma or traumatic pregnancies. It is critical to provide support to new and soon-to-be moms during this time period.
What creates birth trauma or traumatic pregnancies?
Difficult pregnancies with issues like severe pre-eclampsia, pregnancy loss, hyperemesis gravidarum, miscarriage, or intense anxiety can create experiences that may lead to medical trauma. Birth trauma may look like an emergency c-section, complications postpartum, long and intense labor, or traumatic vaginal birth can all be experiences that create medical trauma.
Will medical trauma always mean I have post-traumatic stress disorder?
No. Postpartum Support International provides us with the data that approximately 9% of women experience postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Medical trauma does not always mean a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is accurate. However, medical trauma and traumatic experiences during pregnancy, losing a baby, or childbirth can certainly qualify as a traumatic event required for a PTSD diagnosis.
Postpartum or perinatal trauma does not discriminate.
Postpartum Support International states “parents of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mental health disorders. Symptoms can appear at any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover."
We have a tendency to minimize our pain, both emotional and physical. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression after a difficult childbirth, a difficult pregnancy, a pregnancy loss, or infertility, you may be experiencing symptoms of medical trauma. There is hope and treatment available.
Birth trauma may be exacerbated by unhelpful myths & assumptions of pregnancy or childbirth like:
Pregnancy is the most special time of my life.
Pregnancy always ends with a healthy baby.
You can’t have antidepressants during pregnancy.
Motherhood is the ultimate fulfillment.
IVF isn’t the normal or right way to become a mother.
Everyone has miscarriages, I should be able to be past this by now.
No one wants to hear about my miscarriage.
Pregnancy loss is my fault and a shameful experience.
C Section means I failed to have a “real” birth.
Natural birth is my only option.
Medication during birth is weak.
I should be able to bond with my baby immediately.
I should be able to breastfeed exclusively.
What can increase my risk of developing symptoms of medical trauma due to difficult pregnancies, miscarriages, or birth trauma?
Complications in pregnancy
Miscarriages
Being dismissed by medical providers
Not being given proper medical care during birth or pregnancy
Complications during labor or childbirth
Pregnancy loss
Experiencing a stillbirth
Health challenges for either mom or baby
Baby in NICU
Premature birth
Emergency c section
Postpartum complications
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Poor response to anesthesia or medication during birth to manage pain
Traumatic vaginal birth
Severe pre-eclampsia
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
What are examples of symptoms of medical trauma associated with childbirth, difficult pregnancies, or pregnancy loss?
You may keep having intrusive or unwanted memories of the traumatic vaginal delivery or emergency c-section. You may have recurring dreams that are very distressing to you related to the health challenges for both mom and baby. You may feel intense distress when exposed to reminders of the event. These could be times of the year when the event occurred or having to drive past the hospital where your baby spent time in the NICU. You may try to go out of your way to avoid these reminders whenever possible.
There may be difficulty recalling specific memories or details surrounding traumatic childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth. You may have persistent negative beliefs about yourself or blame yourself for postpartum complications. You may start to isolate yourself from others more, feel increased anxiety and fear and lose interest in activities you typically love. You may notice you have more extreme startle responses to loud noises around you, you feel hypervigilant about the safety of yourself or your baby or have a hard time concentrating.
Evidence-Based Postpartum and Perinatal Therapy Treatments
If you feel yourself resonating with any of these symptoms, you’re not alone. There is hope and help available. There are several helpful therapy modalities and evidence-based treatments for treating medical trauma associated with miscarriage, pregnancy loss, difficult pregnancies, traumatic births, and postpartum complications.
What evidence-based therapy treatments can help me manage medical trauma from a difficult childbirth, pregnancy loss, or traumatic pregnancies? Let’s take a look.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can be a helpful tool in identifying unhelpful thought patterns surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, or motherhood and replacing them with more helpful reframes. CBT is a recommended therapy for postpartum depression or anxiety, as well as feelings of depression or anxiety during pregnancy. It’s possible to change ruminating or intrusive thought patterns and decrease intense feelings of anxiety or depression.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, is an evidence-based treatment that can be helpful for addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma related to traumatic pregnancies or birth trauma. ACT incorporates breathing techniques, mindfulness skills, and meditation tools to help decrease feelings of anxiety and depression and activate our parasympathetic nervous system, or resting state.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT, is an evidence-based treatment based on cognitive behavior therapy. It is a focused treatment specifically designed for trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder. This allows us to challenge stuck points and move past traumatic events like childbirth or a traumatic pregnancy. CPT can be helpful for an acute traumatic event, such as childbirth, or multiple traumas experienced throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum spectrum.
Group therapy for perinatal and postpartum moms
Group therapy for pregnant and postpartum moms is a supportive and safe place to speak with other women navigating the same stage of life. Women’s CBT offers a weekly virtual therapy group online for new and soon-to-be moms. This group empowers members with CBT and mindfulness tools to help manage the emotions surrounding difficult pregnancies, motherhood, or postpartum challenges. Leave each session with new, real-world tools to use and feelings of encouragement and support from other women.
Begin Perinatal and Postpartum Therapy in Washington DC
Perinatal and Postpartum health are both extremely important and no two experiences look the same. At my DC-based Therapy office, as a trained therapist I am here to guide you through this process of healing in order to regain control of your life and move forward in a positive way. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.
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Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women
I understand that women face a unique set of mental health challenges in today’s society and need specialized support. No two mental health journeys to recovery are the same and I offer a variety of mental health services to help individualize a plan that best meets your needs. These services include therapy for anxiety and depression in both Individual and Women’s Support Groups. I also specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CPT for Medical Trauma, Perinatal Therapy, PTSD Treatment, and Therapy for Chronic Illness. For more helpful information check out my blogs and videos! All services are offered online in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and New York.