The ripple effect of resolving birth trauma

By Pippa Scott

Imagine a world where birth is not feared, where it is a celebrated pivotal moment in a woman’s life. Imagine a world where mothers are strong, confident and connected, and able to bond with their babies, trusting their own abilities and intuition. 

In western culture, birth is not as honoured as a rite of passage from maiden to motherhood as in other cultures around the globe. Very little is celebrated in the journey of women’s reproduction, despite it being such a huge part of our lives. Fear is generated by the media, through stories from friends and family, and sometimes from our own birthing experiences. Hospital attitudes and the way women are treated during their care often imply deficiencies in a woman’s decision-making capacities. Women who have amazing birth stories often don’t share them for fear of triggering women who have had trauma.

Some 30% of new mothers experience birth trauma. Many more also feel alone, unheard and are often overwhelmed. Postnatal depression is sometimes misdiagnosed PTSD. Women are told by well-meaning family and friends to be grateful that they have a healthy baby, creating further doubt within the woman about her mothering abilities. For some new parents, past trauma caused by  absent or abusive parents may also be an issue. 

But what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if as individual people, mothers, fathers and care providers, we made other choices? Would the world be different if we created a nurturing atmosphere that allowed for an empowering birthing experience for everyone involved? 

In this world, there are mothers who are confident in their intuition and are connected to their feminine strength and power, sharing questions and answers with other mothers while knowing the exchange of information holds value, support and love. 

There are strong, grounded men who live without the pain of their past and are connected, present partners and fathers. Men who become rocks of strength for their families, able to aid in the healing and nourishment of our culture in dynamic and positive ways. 

And there are communities that encircle these new families, aiding with meals, cleaning and childcare, and allowing parents to bond with their baby in this sacred time. 

Achievable? Yes!! I know it is, I have lived it! While the journey is different for us all, our shared experiences of releasing pain, trauma or periods of stress from our past is fundamental. Be it generational issues, childhood abandonment or trauma from a history of bullying, abuse or betrayal, it is important that we all face our concerns head-on.

Whatever it is that triggers you and keeps you in a state of anxiety or depression, it is stopping you from enjoying a life in which you can truly thrive. We can create a better world—one woman, one man, one family at a time. 

Pippa Scott is a doula of nearly 20 years, birth trauma specialist and TRTP practitioner. She has a passion for supporting people to live pain free so that they can be the best versions of themselves as people and as parents. www.fantasticfuture.com.au