Birth Trauma

When birth doesn’t go as you hoped, healing is possible.

Many parents have a specific vision of what it will be like to bring a baby into the world. But for many of us, birth can be frightening, overwhelming, or deeply distressing. If you find yourself replaying your labor over and over, avoiding reminders of the birth, feeling anxious about your health or your baby's safety, or wondering why everyone else seems ready to move on while you still feel stuck, you are not alone.

At Magnify Family Wellness, therapy can help you recover from some of the effects of the trauma, as well as grow in ways that are meaningful to you. 

We're rarely told...

1 in 3 women describe their birth as traumatic

What Is Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact of experiencing childbirth as frightening, overwhelming, or life-threatening. Every person's experience is different, and there is no single event that defines a traumatic birth.

 

Some parents develop symptoms of acute stress or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while others simply feel that something precious was taken from what they hoped would be a meaningful experience.

 

Birth trauma is about your experience, not whether someone else thinks your delivery was "bad enough."

the impact

Birth trauma extends beyond the delivery room

You may feel less like yourself, struggle to enjoy early parenthood, or find that your relationship with your partner has changed. Everyday reminders—a hospital, a doctor's office, even your child's birthday—can bring intense emotions rushing back.

Partners can also experience birth trauma, especially after witnessing a frightening delivery or fearing for the life of their loved one or baby.

Healing isn't about forgetting what happened. It's about helping your nervous system recognize that the danger has passed while making space for the full story of your experience.

you may notice

Possible symptoms

  • Intrusive memories or flashbacks about the birth

  • Nightmares related to labor or delivery

  • Feeling panicked during medical appointments

  • Avoiding conversations about your birth

  • Feeling numb or emotionally disconnected

  • Guilt, shame, or believing you "failed"

  • Constantly questioning decisions that were made

  • Difficulty bonding with your baby

  • Increased anxiety or panic

  • Hypervigilance about your baby's health

  • Irritability or emotional outbursts

  • Feeling detached from your partner

  • Fear of becoming pregnant again

Some parents notice these symptoms immediately after birth, while others don't recognize them until months—or even years—later.

How Therapy can help

The Magnify Approach

Dr. Tessa Kritikos brings training in trauma-focused treatments, as well as research and clinical experience in making meaning and fostering growth from traumatic experiences.

Together, we may work on:

  • Processing difficult memories safely

  • Reducing symptoms of anxiety or traumatic stress

  • Understanding how trauma affects the brain and body

  • Working through anger, guilt, grief, or self-blame

  • Strengthening your confidence as a parent

  • Improving communication with your partner

  • Rebuilding a sense of safety and trust

  • Preparing for future pregnancies, if desired

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).