Birthing Trauma
& Hypnobirthing
Birth Trauma Resolution Treatment
For many women their experience of birth isn’t quite the blissful event they hoped for when welcoming their precious bundle into the world; it can feel like an uphill struggle. However for some it is much more than that, it’s both a physical and psychological trauma.
The aftermath of a traumatic birth can be mentally catastrophic, leaving women with life-long psychological wounds. The effects of which spread out to other facets of their life impacting on their bond with their baby, their relationship with their partner, their decision to have another baby or not and even their willingness to engage with future health care.
Until recently very little research existed to support post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth and for such a long time childbirth trauma hasn’t even been recognised. However, case studies and recent research make it clear that women can and do suffer extreme distress as a consequence of their experiences during childbirth. A small proportion of pregnancies and births involve events that are potentially traumatic, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, severe complications, or undergoing invasive medical interventions with or without effective pain relief. Some women may have a seemingly normal birth but feel traumatised by aspects such as loss of control, loss of dignity, or the dismissive, hostile or negative attitudes of the key people around them.
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This REWIND TECHNIQUE has been used in hypnotherapy for many years for those affected by Trauma and PTSD; examples are military personnel, ambulance and medical professionals. It is extremely effective and works with amazing speed by changing a potentially damaging, highly emotionally charged memory into an ordinary functioning memory without the distressing emotional attachment. Often only one or two sessions are all that is necessary.
Trauma Response
During any traumatic situation the body’s stress levels are heightened; an area of the brain called the amygdala activates the normal physiological ‘fight/flight’ response. The high level of the stress hormone cortisol also affects the hippocampus. These two areas of the brain normally communicate well with each other; working in harmony to make sense of highly charged situations. However, due to the rising cortisol level, the hippocampus cannot decipher what is happening preventing it from rationalising the experience and the memory remains stuck in the amygdala; as an emotionally intense, often terrifying experience. The amygdala then tries to continuously ‘pattern-match’ any situation that vaguely resembles the original trauma, further reinforcing the trauma of the experience. Most women will be able to come to terms with their childbirth experience within a month or so, when their stress levels begin to fall and the hippocampus and amygdala are again working together in harmony to create a more balanced context of the events. However, research suggests that around 20% of women will remain affected by their experience suffering negative effects, including flashbacks, panic attacks, sleep disturbances and avoidance of anything that might trigger an unwanted emotional response; symptoms of PTSD.
Who Can Be Helped?
This BIRTH TRAUMA treatment has been specifically developed for those suffering from trauma and PTSD surrounding childbirth. However, this technique can be used for anyone who feels traumatised from a frightening or life-threatening experience, mums, dads, birth partners, birth professionals and many more: telephone for further advice.
The Royal College of Midwives and the Human Givens Psychotherapy Institute accredit the Treatment.
RCM Accredited training and treatment
for Birth Trauma
