What is Perinatal Trauma?
Perinatal trauma can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. It can affect not only the birth mother, but also the baby, partner, healthcare professionals, or anyone who witnesses the event.

There are two main types of perinatal trauma: physical and emotional. Physical trauma includes injuries that can be seen or medically identified, while emotional trauma affects a person’s psychological and emotional well-being.

Examples of Perinatal Trauma
Perinatal trauma can look different for everyone, but some common experiences include:

• Emergency C-section or forceps/vacuum-assisted delivery
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Unexpected injuries during birth
• Pregnancy or infant loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death
• Traumatic termination of a pregnancy
• Negative experiences with the healthcare system
• Unexpected changes to a birth plan that are outside of your control
• Emergency medical care for your baby

Symptoms of Perinatal Trauma
If you’ve experienced perinatal trauma, you may notice a range of emotional and physical symptoms, such as:

• Nightmares or disrupted sleep
• Intrusive thoughts
• Flashbacks or reliving the event
• Panic attacks
• Anxiety or depression
• Excessive worry about your baby
• Difficulty bonding or feeling connected to your baby
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

What to Do if You Think You’re Experiencing Perinatal Trauma
First and foremost, know that you are not alone—and support is available. If any of these symptoms feel familiar, consider:

• Talking to your family doctor, obstetrician, or midwife
• Connecting with a therapist or mental health professional
• Reaching out to trusted family members or friends for support
• Practicing self-care and self-compassion as you heal

Healing takes time, and it’s okay to ask for help along the way.

Supporting Someone Experiencing Perinatal Trauma
If someone you care about is going through this, your support can make a meaningful difference:

1. Check in with them regularly
2. Offer practical help where you can
3. Encourage them to seek support from a healthcare provider or therapist
4. Be open and willing to listen if they want to talk about their experience
5. Remind them they are not alone
6. Help normalize their feelings by acknowledging the real impact of both physical and emotional trauma

Resources
For more information, visit:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/birth-trauma

To learn how our team can support you, reach out today to book a free consultation and take the first step toward the care you deserve.