Sometimes, a Cesarean, or c-section, birth happens unexpectedly. Some women spend their pregnancy discussing a vaginal birth with their provider, and it can come as a shock for them to welcome their baby through a surgical procedure. C-sections are usually mentioned during prenatal meeting(s), however, they aren’t generally discussed in detail. Then when it was time for mom to have the procedure, it can be jolting to both mom & dad. On occasion, the urgent nature of the operation leaves women with negative feelings such as terror or shock. Some even describe the experience as traumatic and life-altering.
Birth trauma is a term we use to describe the emotions and potentially physical effects that a mom can experience after a cesarean. While some mom’s who have a vaginal birth can experience birth trauma, it’s common for c-section moms.
So, why do mom’s who’ve had a c-section have a higher likelihood of experiencing birth trauma?
This is because many women have not had to have a procedure this invasive before and sometimes times it’s undertaken as an emergency. Furthermore, the recovery period for the surgical procedure is slower, and can often lead to pain experienced for up to a year postpartum.
Associated with the physical pain is the emotional ripple effect that can occur.
In an article published by BBC, Post-natal PTSD: 'I relived childbirth over and over again', they shared the story of a mum who was experiencing post-natal PTSD after a C-section.
In the interview, Anna Simpson, said that "There was an anaesthetist trying to put a cannula in my hand so I felt like it was being attacked, it felt very frightening, I was very scared.
"I was going through the birth over and over again, it was exhausting and really painful.
"It was physically draining, all that on top of having to look after a new baby was really difficult.”
Post-natal PTSD can be harder to treat the longer it goes undiagnosed, experts say. It’s imperative we support these new mothers through the process to ensure their physical and emotional health are thriving.
Stay tuned for Part Two next week!!
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