Others may be triggered by the internal exams and overall lack of privacy during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.Ī history of mental illness makes one more likely to experience birth trauma as well. Those with a history of sexual abuse or rape may be triggered by the pain or feelings of helplessness associated with giving birth. Some of these risk factors include a history of trauma. There are things that put some women at increased risk for experiencing birth as traumatic or to go on to develop PTSD following giving birth. This can lead to increased feelings of guilt and shame surrounding their condition. The feeling of depression, anxiety or postpartum rage is not one that is expected by family, friends, or even the women themselves. Mothers are expected to feel thankful and happy following the births of their children. However, mothers with birth trauma differ in a significant way. Women with this condition are similar in some ways to individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD due to enduring traumas such as war, rape, or natural disasters. Women who experienced fear of dying, fear of their babies dying or who had an extremely painful, frightening, or distressing birth experience may be diagnosed with birth trauma. This condition is diagnosed following the first 30 days after delivery as is indicated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Professionals use the same criteria to diagnose PTSD in those suffering from birth trauma as in patients with other forms of PTSD. Suicide is reported to be the leading cause of death during the post-partum period. 1 The consequences of leaving birth trauma untreated can be extreme due to the high incidence of post-partum depression and even suicide. Several characteristics of this condition include a negative outlook on pregnancy and childbirth, difficulty bonding with one’s newborn, postnatal depression, and a strained marital relationship. Childbirth is a potentially traumatic event which can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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