Struggling with other people's birth stories/announcements. Is this common?

[wheredidsummergo12]

I find it really hard when other people have babies. I really really struggle with birth stories. I also find birth announcements hard sometimes too. I'm very happy for the parents and can't wait to meet the little one (I also would never let on that I feel anything other than immense happiness to the family concerned!) but I had 2 very difficult births so as well as the happienss it also seems to bring back the sense of sadness and disappointment every time. I have had some counselling as birth #1 was traumatic. Both births were a long time ago now so i'm wondering if its linked to the trauma or if this is a common thing for women who've had upsetting births themselves and something a lot of women go through? Does anyone else feel like this? Does it eventually go away?

@wheredidsummergo12

How long ago were your births? Was your second traumatic aswell as your first?

I only had my DD 11 weeks ago. Traumatic birth an I’ve asked for a birth reflection to go through it in a few months. I definitely have a pang if jealously/disappointment/sadness when anything is mentioned about labour or birth now. An recently had a few friends have very quick easy labours. It’s hard. Really hard. Especially when you feel like others don’t understand how you feel about it.

So I would say it’s maybe normal for some. Although whether my feelings will change as it’s very fresh for me. But I feel they won’t. I feel I will always want to block it out an not think about birth and labour. And I always intended to give DD a sibling...

💐💐💐

Birth #2 was 11 months ago. 2nd birth was less dangerous but more traumatic. It doesn’t even seem to occur to people that I might find it difficult to hear their stories so that’s why I thought maybe it’s uncommon. But it’s nice to know I’m not the only one so thanks for posting. It’s still very fresh for you so maybe your feelings will change.