Psychological Birth Trauma: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Support Recovery
Giving birth is often described as one of life’s most joyful events and a transformative experience, yet for many families, it is accompanied by fear, helplessness, and even terror. In Australia, approximately one in three women describe their birth as traumatic, even if there’s no physical injury or birth complications involved. When the psychological distress from birth persists, intensifies, or begins to impact day-to-day functioning, it may be a sign of psychological birth trauma.
Although some distress after birth is common, studies suggest that 3–6% of Australian mothers go on to develop childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (also called perinatal PTSD), while up to one in five mothers and one in ten fathers experience postnatal depression or anxiety within the first year. For some families, this distress is rooted not only in what happened during the birth, but in how they were treated, especially if they felt powerless, unheard, or dismissed.
Why Your Postnatal Mental Health Matters
When psychological trauma goes unrecognised, it can interfere with bonding, breastfeeding, sleep, emotional regulation, and even decisions around future pregnancies. Many women describe feeling “stuck” in frightening memories or emotionally distant from their baby. Some avoid anything that reminds them of the birth, including medical appointments, certain people, or even talking about their experience. Others experience intrusive thoughts or memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or feel constantly on edge.
Heightened stress responses after trauma can also disrupt the body’s natural rhythms, like milk let-down and sleep cycles, compounding physical exhaustion. Left untreated, these symptoms may not only affect parental wellbeing but also the early attachment relationship between parent and infant, which is critical for the baby’s long-term emotional development.
What Increases the Risk?
While every birth is unique, some events are more likely to contribute to psychological trauma. These include emergency procedures (such as unplanned caesareans or instrumental deliveries), significant bleeding, poor communication or consent, a history of previous trauma or anxiety, NICU admissions, or a lack of support during or after the birth. However, trauma is not defined by the event itself but by how it is experienced. It’s a very personal and a very subjective experience. What feels “routine” to some may be deeply distressing to others.
Protecting and Supporting Your Mental Health Postpartum
Psychological recovery matters just as much as physical healing. Here are several practical strategies that can support emotional wellbeing in the postpartum period:
Plan for rest, not perfection: Newborn care is demanding. Reduce pressure by organising meal rosters, meal delivery services, limiting visitors, or outsourcing daily chores where possible.
Debrief with a professional: Speaking with a midwife, GP, or perinatal psychologist can help you process the birth and begin to make sense of what happened.
Use available screening tools: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is offered in most Australian services. It’s not a test you can pass or fail. Honest responses help health professionals support you appropriately.
Stay connected: Join local mothers’ groups, online peer forums, or parent–baby classes. Talking to others who have “been there” can reduce feelings of isolation.
Attend to your physical needs: Short walks, nutritious snacks, and regular hydration can stabilise mood. Try to negotiate at least one block of uninterrupted sleep. Ninety minutes of deep rest is still restorative. Keeping a stash of snacks in areas where you feed baby can also be helpful.
Develop a self-soothing toolkit: Techniques like slow breathing, grounding exercises (naming five things you can see), or using cool water on your hands can help calm the nervous system.
Know your supports: Your GP is often the first place to start. Saving key helpline numbers in your phone can also be a good idea: PANDA (1300 726 306), Gidget Foundation (1300 851 758), and Lifeline (13 11 14).
Warning Signs of Psychological Birth Trauma
Be alert to the following symptoms in yourself or your partner:
Replaying the birth through flashbacks or nightmares
Avoiding reminders of the birth, including talking about it
Feeling numb, emotionally flat, or disconnected from the baby
Difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or regulating emotions
Thoughts of self-harm or believing your baby would be better off without you
Having difficulty sleeping, separate to baby’s sleep patterns
If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, or if safety is a concern, seek immediate professional help. Trauma-informed or cognitive-behavioural approaches, along with peer support or medication where appropriate, can be highly effective.
Supporting the Non-Birthing Partner
Birth trauma affects families, not just the birthing parent. Partners may also experience distress or feel unsure how to help. Here’s what they can do:
Validate rather than minimise: Try saying, “That sounds terrifying, do you want to talk about it?” instead of “At least the baby’s healthy.”
Share responsibilities: Take on night feeds, nappy changes, bathing or practical tasks to allow space for recovery. Talk to your partner about how you can help share the responsibilities, so that it doesn’t seem like you’re “taking over.”
Monitor your own mental health: Feelings of helplessness, sadness, or frustration are valid. If they persist, consider your own check-in with a GP or psychologist.
Support access to care: Help make appointments, attend sessions if appropriate (if your partner consents to this), and reassure your partner that seeking support is a sign of strength.
Build shared routines: Simple rituals, like a short walk, skin-to-skin time, or a few minutes of mindfulness together can bring calm and connection.
Birth Trauma Blog Post
Written by Melissa Freestun, Perinatal Psychologist, Self Psychology
www.selfpsychology.com.au
IG: @_selfpsychology