Birth Trauma?

[HW24]

I gave birth in Oct 24 without all the details (as I try not to) it was a “long labor of love” as I call it. I was in hospital for 10 days start to finish with induction, labor and c-section. Then aftercare. At every point there was a major problem this included with why I ended up having the birth I did and the care throughout.
I don’t know whether I totally have “Birth Trauma” I have my mummy friends and family say they definitely think it is as I use humour to get through the conversation of the birth / belittle it. I definitely try not to relive the events in my head and as the months go on I have started to get a little bit upset with the notion of having this trauma. I don’t know if this a normal way of dealing with things or is this trauma?! I feel like the emotions are starting to build up the more it’s talked about.
I have requested a debrief with the hospital to better understand why it all happened the way it did.
Is anybody else dealing with this the same way or any advice if not?

I think a debrief is a great way to start to unpick how you feel about it. It does sound like the birth is an emotive subject for you.

Your birth sounds pretty much identical to mine. Failed induction, six day labour and emergency C-section, with every horrible, painful and intrusive intervention along the way.

Happy for you to PM me if you want to bounce off someone else who completely gets it! 🙂

Mine wasn’t as long as I started labour naturally (spontaneous waters breaking) but as soon as the contractions started it was as if I’d been on the hormone drip - with no let up for 32 hours and then ended up with an emergency section and a stay in hospital. I drive past the turn off for the hospital and get flashbacks. I remember every part of the whole thing and it doesn’t bring back happy memories so I totally get you. Hope the debrief helps you. It was decided it wouldn’t be beneficial to me as I recall everything including the why it went the way it did. So I’m talking it through with the mental health team

I had a birth stories meeting with my hospital on Monday. I guess this is the same as the debrief you’ll be having, thoroughly recommend it. It was so helpful. Hope you get what you need from it and can be signposted if necessary xx

Yes that does sound extremely similar it’s bloody awful what we have to go through in such a vulnerable state already! and thank you that’s very kind of you 🥰

It’s awful isn’t it and nothing like this is discussed before you give birth the mental scarring your potentially left with after!
See I can remember it all but there are questions I want answering that now I’m out of it and can see clearly we’re not ok at the time. It’s just then processing that.
I hope you to get the answer you need one way or another 😊

yes it’s probably the same thing. I’m glad you managed to get out of it what you needed to. And Thankyou fingers crossed 🥰 x

There isn’t a tick box of awful things that need to have happened before you can be ‘allowed’ to be traumatised. I would definitely seek a debrief (preferably someone independent) as it will definitely help put all the pieces back together, which is sometimes all it takes.