Birth trauma occurs when birth has been a frightening, traumatic and negative experience.
The symptoms of birth trauma can vary but can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, panic attacks, guilt, anger, sadness, depression, difficulty bonding with baby, difficulty relating to partner, and in many cases these symptoms can ripple out into every aspect of life, and even cause future family plans to be placed firmly on hold.
This form of PTSD can affect both Mums, Dads and birth workers.

A birth experience that was frightening to both or either parent and that is usually coupled with a loss of control, can lead to birth trauma.
This could be because labour was long or full of intervention or perhaps because of medical problems that unexpectedly occurred. If a birth takes an unexpected turn, it can feel traumatic, especially if parents feel that the situation or options available weren’t properly explained or if they feel that what was happening was completely out of their control.

A birth where parents have feared for their life or their babies can also be a very frightening experience. Similarly, if injury or even death has occurred because of the experience, then this can also lead to birth trauma.