Post traumatic stress disorder and labour

[DashingRedhead]

I suffered from PTSD last year, after I nearly bled to death from the medication I was given for a missed miscarriage. I'm now 32 weeks pregnant and can't help feeling a little anxious about how I will handle the labour. I've done a quick search on PTSD on and labour on MN and most of the other mums seem to have suffered PTSD following traumatic birth experiences - is there anyone else out there who's had it from something else? If so, how did it affect your birth experience?

DD1 is 2y10mo and her birth was frustrating, long, difficult, you name it. I ended up having a section and found the physical recovery v difficult. I've got independent midwives and am hoping for a VBAC this time. I'd be really grateful for any experiences that anyone can share.

[foxytocin]

having IMs is a huge plus that you will get what you want. is it a planned HB? that imo is a positive. my first birth experience made me phobic. it went better than i could have hoped for.

i totally see how your mmc could have caused ptsd. it is not 'you' iykwim. best of luck.

[DashingRedhead]

Thanks foxy. Not likely to be a home birth, I don't think. It's still under discussion. That's what we wanted last time but it didn't happen. The problem is that DH says he just doesn't know if he can cope with the anxiety at home (it was awful for him too last year, blood everywhere, me passing out, dreadful). Also, although I don't want to be negative, there is a 20% chance I won't manage the VBAC and my excellent GP says having to go into hospital with blue lights etc would be really not-good for me, whereas if I just have to transfer from birthing room to theatre, all will be much calmer. IMs don't mind what I do. DH says if we prepare better, hospital birth could be much nicer and after all, it's the IMs that make the difference. And we're booked into a different hospital.

[DashingRedhead]

Bump - anyone else out there?

[slushy06]

I had ptsd from something non birth related I suffered for two years had two doctors and medication for me birth was brilliant and has slowed me relapsing as the events that caused me ptsd made me feel weak and frightened and out of control I didn't feel that with birth. I found making birth as un-medical as possible no drugs natural remedies helped me separate it from being like a traumatic event but that is just me. Hope it all goes well for you.

[DashingRedhead]

Thanks slushy - that is reassuring. It's so uncommon!

[mumofdjandbabies]

I had pts after ds1 birth but all went well fodr ds2 and dd3

[LoveBuckets]

How about if your DP wasn't your birth partner and just took off with your DD when the action starts? Another woman who's had a baby before is really much more use than a man who was also pretty traumatised and with the best intentions in the world might try to knock you off your concentration path to stop his own distress.

I had the same thing but opposite, I got PTSD and became terrified of childbirth, midwives and my local hospital after my first birth (emergency CSec.) I had my second by elective CSec at a different hospital and saw my GP for antenatal checkups to avoid MWs as long as poss. It totally cured me because I felt so in control. My 3rd was supposed to be CSec too but I ended up having him vaginally by accident! But by this time I had done an NCT 'refresher' course which was excellent, had read some Sheila Kitzinger and had done yoga for 2yrs so I was able to stave off the panic and adrenalin almost to the end (got an epidural and then I didn't give a toss what they did.)

Good luck.