Birth Trauma Healing

Thinking of all families missing their little pumpkins this Halloween. Another day of imagining and wondering what should be x
Be gentle with your emotions as babyloss awareness month comes to an end ❤️💙🦋

When debriefing services take the form of reading from notes it is extremely common for a woman’s recall and the medical version of events, recorded in the notes, to differ hugely.

When this happens, if the difference in view is not handled sensitively then it is easy for that person to feel gaslighted.

It is therefore important to handle this difference in what occurred with care.

The term 'gaslighting' is from the1938 play 'Gaslight' where a husband convinces his wife that she is going insane because he keeps turning the gaslight on and off without her knowing and without admitting what he is doing. She thinks she is going mad because he is lying to her and saying she is 'mistaken'.

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, and sanity.

It is easy for gaslighting to occur during debriefs that rely on reading from medical notes because often the gap between the parent's perception of what happened (it was frightening and awful) is different from what is noted by HCP.

Notes never consider how the person feels and that is usually what stays with the person when birth is traumatic.

Learn how to always bring relief with your debrief on our the 1 day in person Trauma Informed Listening Skills course for perinatal professionals, happening on 7th November.

Link is in the bio

https://youtu.be/tdd0Si9nsZk

birth trauma resolution with @My Bump My Birth My Baby discussing birth trauma and the services available in Ireland.

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Here’s why I don’t use the word contraction - it’s only part of the story. The sensations you feel during labor that allow your baby to pass thru the birth canal, thru your pelvis, and into this world are the muscles of your uterus tightening + releasing.

Hold your fist out, tighten it into a ball, and then release, allowing the muscles of your hand to relax completely - that is a ‘contraction’.

Contracting is only half the story. And, in a way, it’s the easier half because your body contracts on its own - it’s the relaxation half that most of us find it hard to tap into. When in pain our instinct is to tighten up, squeeze, hold our breath and scrunch our face and clench our jaw - but, during labor, it is being asked of us to do the opposite: breathe deeply, relax our face, jaw, and tongue, and bring release to our pelvic muscles thru movement and vibration. To relax thru pain is not instinctual, and something that I encourage all mamas to practice.

Rather than focusing on contracting what else can we call them? Waves, surges, and rushes are words that more accurately describe the push and pull of labor, and encourage mama to ebb and flow with the sensation. To close her eyes, feel the rise, breathe thru the build, sway and moan with the peak, and then gently and lovingly move thru the release.

Although changing the name of the experience will not take the pain of labor away - I do believe it helps put mama in the right frame of mind to navigate each rush (my ‘word’ of choice). And, if you’ve labored before, you know that frame of mind is an essential piece of the puzzle for bringing baby earthside!

Want to keep the conversation going and receive more support? Sign up to be notified when my course The Mama Pathway, a complete pregnancy, birth, and new mama experience, opens up!

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https://www.change.org/p/end-the-hse-ban-on-water-birth-in-the-national-home-birth-service-in-ireland?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_33211236_en-GB%3A6&recruiter=1263550702&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&fbclid=IwAR1XVdfKar1eoUJEJLRb2hL5J5vAOG-gXc6ONybp3_dXkp9GE6BwyeBQCAs

Sign the Petition End the HSE ban on water birth in the National Home Birth Service in Ireland

"Induction of labour has significant consequences, downsides and knock-on effects as well as potential benefits.

It's vital that anyone being offered induction is also offered clear, evidence-based information, explanation of the limitations of current research AND discussion of the wider issues so they can make the decisions that are right for them."

I wrote that at the end of a blog post that I'm sharing today.

In it, I look at two recent studies, from the USA and Australia.

Both studies looked at how trends in induction of labour are changing.

And whether the publication of the controversial ARRIVE Trial has affected trends in induction.

They offer fascinating - and also worrying - insight.

They confirm some of the concerns of midwives and doctors who are witnessing the effects of the changes every day.

This is vital research, as it shows how induction directly impacts experiences and outcomes for women, babies and families.

You can read more in my blog post today.

It's at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/trends-in-induction-of-labour/

I hope it helps you to better understand the issues.

BIRTH DEBRIEF
Birth can be complex and leave you feeling like you need to have your story heard.
Even when things seem to have gone really well you can be left with a feeling that something is missing. Sometimes after giving birth women feel they need to discuss the way things played out.
Having a chance to talk through your birth and reflect on the events of the most important event of yours and your baby's life can help make sense of feelings and move forward particularly after a traumatic event.

Birth Debrief can be done on Zoom or in person with a qualified birth trauma resolution therapist with 10 years experience working with pregnant and birthing women.
Get in touch for more information.
0868528479
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Your feelings are valid and they matter 💙

'Nobody wants to acknowledge you can get PTSD after birth': Birth trauma is more common than you may think Delivering a baby is one of the most natural things a woman can do. Yet the process can often damage her body. We talk to the experts about the ...

https://www.restorativebirthservices.ie/blog/birth-trauma?fbclid=IwAR19yG6A2UzxXWAxTY-wMgeTBRIVzJ-XlHm4itKVClFogeSYR5mNJpdgcm8

Birth Trauma — Restorative Birth Services Birth and pregnancy can be a time of mixed feelings, excitement, worry, and anticipation. When a woman’s birth leaves her with a sense of disappointment, guilt, anger, and sadness. This can lead to her feeling very alone, detached from others, and often with many questions left unanswered.