Birth Trauma Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters

What is Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma refers to the distressing or harmful physical and/or psychological experiences a person may have during or after childbirth. While many associate birth trauma with difficult or complicated births, it is not limited to emergencies or physical injury. In many cases, trauma arises from how someone felt during their birth experience, whether it be powerless, unheard, unsafe, or dehumanised.

Importantly, birth trauma is not about how a birth looks on paper. A birth considered medically routine can still be deeply traumatic for the person experiencing it.

At its heart, birth trauma is subjective. If someone feels traumatised by their experience, their feelings are valid, regardless of what happened clinically.

Key Facts and Statistics

• An estimated 1 in 3 Australian women describe their birth as traumatic (Birth Trauma Awareness Australia, 2023).

• Around 1 in 10 women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after childbirth (Ayers et al., 2016).

• Birth trauma doesn’t only affect mothers. Partners and support people can also experience trauma related to birth.

Physical Birth-Related Trauma

Physical birth trauma refers to injuries or complications that occur during the process of childbirth. These may include:

• Severe perineal tears (third or fourth degree)

• Emergency caesarean sections

• Postpartum haemorrhage

• Shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during delivery)

• Use of forceps or vacuum delivery

• Injury to the baby during birth (e.g. nerve damage, fractures)

These events can be frightening, painful, and carry long recovery periods. But again, it's not just the physical injuries that matter—it's how they are experienced and supported.

Psychological Birth Trauma

Psychological trauma can occur even when a birth is clinically uncomplicated. Trauma may result from:

• Feeling ignored, dismissed, or not listened to

• Loss of control or autonomy

• Lack of informed consent

• Fear for the baby’s or their own life

• Feeling judged, humiliated, or disrespected

• Separation from baby after birth

"What someone remembers is not always the moment of birth, but how they were made to feel."

Common Symptoms of Birth Trauma

Birth trauma symptoms can show up days, weeks, or even months after the experience. They can range from subtle to life-disrupting:

• Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories

• Anxiety or panic attacks

• Anger

• Avoidance of reminders (hospitals, other babies, future pregnancies)

• Trouble bonding with the baby

• Numbness, guilt, or shame

• Hypervigilance or constantly feeling on edge

• Feeling detached or emotionally flat

Sometimes, these symptoms are signs of PTSD. But even without a formal diagnosis, a traumatic birth can have deep emotional impact.

What Are the Risk Factors?

There is no single cause of birth trauma, but certain factors may increase the likelihood:

• Emergency situations or rapid labour

• Long, difficult labour or instrumental delivery

• Feeling unsupported or alone during birth

• History of anxiety, depression, or trauma

• Birth outcomes that differ from the plan or expectations

• Perceived or real mistreatment

It’s important to note: trauma isn’t about the event, it’s about the emotional response to it.

How to Get Help and Treatment

Healing from birth trauma is possible, but it starts with recognition and compassionate support. Here’s where to begin:

• Talk to a trusted health professional: A GP, midwife, or perinatal mental health specialist can guide next steps.

• Seek trauma-informed therapy: Psychologists with perinatal experience or EMDR training can be particularly helpful.

• Birth debriefing: Some hospitals and independent services offer birth debrief sessions to talk through what happened.

• Peer support: Connecting with others who’ve experienced trauma can reduce isolation and validate feelings.

What Needs to Be Done

Awareness is growing, but more systemic and cultural changes are still needed. Here are a few ways we can continue to support mothers:

• Training in trauma-informed care for all maternity staff

• Listening and validation of women’s experiences, without minimising

• Access to mental health care during the perinatal period

• Consent-led care that places emphasis on agency and communication

• Birth debriefs as standard in postpartum care

We can’t always control how birth unfolds. But we can ensure that people are treated with respect, empathy, dignity and support.

Resources

• PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia

• COPE – Centre of Perinatal Excellence

• Birth Trauma Awareness Australia

• Gidget Foundation

• Beyond Blue – Pregnancy & Early Parenthood

Disclaimer: All content and media on the Mother Natal website are created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

FAQs About Birth Trauma

Can you have birth trauma even if your baby is healthy?
Yes. Birth trauma is about how you felt during the experience, not just the outcome.

Is it normal to feel guilt or shame after a traumatic birth?
Yes, it's a common emotional response. Many people experience feelings of guilt or shame after a traumatic birth, even when those feelings are undeserved. It's important to know that these emotions are valid, but they do not reflect your worth, your strength, or the love you have for your baby. You're not alone, and support is available.

Does birth trauma always lead to PTSD?
No. While some people develop PTSD, others may experience anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles. All are valid.

How can partners be affected by birth trauma?
Partners can feel helpless, scared, or overwhelmed by the birth experience. They too deserve support and care.

Is it ever too late to seek help?
Never. Whether it’s been weeks or years since your birth, healing is always possible.

References

Ayers, S., Joseph, S., McKenzie-McHarg, K., Slade, P., & Wijma, K. (2008). Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: Current issues and recommendations for future research. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 29(4), 240–250. Read the article.

Birth Trauma Awareness Australia. (2025). Understanding birth trauma. https://www.birthtrauma.org.au

Dekel, S., Stuebe, C., & Dishy, G. A. (2017). Childbirth induced posttraumatic stress syndrome: A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 560. Read the article.

Slade, P. (2006). Towards a conceptual framework for understanding post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and implications for further research. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 27(2), 99–105. Read the article.