Birth Trauma Support

How to support someone who has experienced Birth Trauma
If you have experienced birth trauma you know that it is an emotional, confusing and complicated experience. For those close to someone who has experienced birth trauma it can be hard to know how to help and support them. In this article we share some simple things partners, family and friends can do to help support the person experiencing birth trauma and/or birth related trauma.
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma is subjective. It is purely about how that individual experienced that event. Therefore this means if someone says they have experienced birth trauma, then, they have.
Also, birth trauma can come in two parts. It could be physical, where an injury is sustained i.e tears, infections, pelvic organ fractures etc. It can be psychological. Or it can be both physical AND psychological.
Understanding these facts are critical to being able to support someone who has experienced birth trauma.
How you can help provide support?
- Provide support for medical appointments
After having a baby there are still many medical appointments from community midwives visits through to the 6-week check with a doctor. These may seem harmless to many but these can be completely overwhelming to someone who has experienced birth trauma and it can be useful to have someone there for support and advocacy. By being present in these moments you can help ensure your partner has all their questions answered and injuries checked to help obtain a smooth as possible recovery.
- Milestone check-ups
Ensure your partner has a check up with a Women’s Health Physiotherapist after their standard 6-week check. This can be hard for many women and they may or may not want you in the room for support. You can take them to the appointment, mind the baby during the appointment and hold space for them after the appointment if they need more time alone or to talk.
- Debriefing
Supporting your partner through the process of obtaining a debriefing. Help them to book the appointment as well as retrieving birthing notes and relevant documentation. You can also help to prepare questions for appointment as well as attending the session.
Mental health
If you partner seems to be struggling with their mental health following a traumatic birth you can start by gently offering open and honest conversations, there is no wrong way to feel after a traumatic event. You can also help them access trained supports. This can be via organisations such as ABTA, Gidget, PANDA, COPE. You can assist them in obtaining a medicare mental health plan from their GP.
Physical Health
Motherhood makes it easy for her to put her needs on the back burner. Encourage the mother to take the time to deal with any physical issues that linger after the birth and early postpartum. Painful periods, painful sex, bladder and bowel issues etc. All impact her ability to cope with her day to day life. Support her by actively encouraging her to seek help and allow her the time/space to do the rehabilitation she needs to do.
Further Resources
https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au
https://panda.org.au
https://www.cope.org.au
Kate Turtiainen runs Bay Active PT in Batemans Bay, New South Wales . Learn more about Kate and Book your Trial today.