Celebrating Childbirth During Women’s Health Week

Supporting women’s health during and after childbirth is essential for both mental and physical well-being. In celebration of Women’s Health Week, from 2nd to 6th Sept, it’s important to recognize the challenges and joys of childbirth, while exploring ways to care for new mothers during this critical time.

Childbirth can be a profoundly transformative experience, yet for some, it carries the weight of trauma.

I want to share the story of a client who has experienced both the joy and the pain of childbirth in vastly different ways.

The Joy of a First Birth

When my client had her first child, Nicholas, she was just 17 years old. Despite her young age, the birth went remarkably well. With no pain relief and her mother by her side helping deliver Nicholas, the experience was filled with love and support. It was a positive and empowering moment, leaving her with a sense of fulfillment and joy.

A Traumatic Second Birth

However, her second childbirth experience with her daughter Samantha was starkly different. It was marked by trauma and fear, leaving a lasting impact on her. This experience was so distressing that she couldn't even consider having another child for a decade.

The Challenges Begin

From the outset, the circumstances surrounding Samantha's birth were challenging. The hospital was short-staffed, and the environment was far from supportive. Nurses instructed her to stay in bed and not move, even though she was in significant pain. This led to a humiliating moment where she wet herself because she wasn't allowed to get up. The staff changed the sheets but the emotional damage had been done.

A Nightmare Delivery

The delivery room was filled with health professionals, but the atmosphere was anything but reassuring. Her mother, and her then-partner were present, but her partner fell asleep, leaving her feeling abandoned. The medical team resorted to using forceps, and despite their best efforts, they struggled to deliver Samantha. Throughout this, my client was too scared to make any noise as the head nurse had harshly told her to be quiet and even to "shut up" at one point.

A Moment of Terror

The situation escalated when Samantha's heartbeat was lost. Resuscitation carts were brought in, heightening the fear that something might be seriously wrong. My client was terrified for her baby's life, compounded by being told earlier that Samantha wasn't growing properly in the womb. Despite these fears, Samantha was born weighing a healthy 9 pounds and was perfect in every way.

Aftermath and Reflection

The trauma of this second birth left deep scars. The contrast between her two childbirth experiences couldn't have been starker. The first birth, though young and inexperienced, was a beautiful and empowering experience. The second was filled with fear, pain, and a sense of helplessness. It took my client ten years to even contemplate having another child with her new partner due to the emotional and psychological trauma she endured with the second birth.

Conclusion

Sharing stories like these is crucial. They highlight the need for compassionate care and support for all birthing parents. No one should feel scared, unheard, or humiliated during such a significant life event. By raising awareness, we can advocate for better practices and support systems to ensure that every childbirth experience is as positive and empowering as possible.

My client's journey is a testament to her strength and resilience. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that birth experiences can have on a person's life.

In the present, my client has approached me to work through this trauma and to help rewrite her narrative that “all childbirth is traumatic”.

We are planning to use hypnosis to assist her through the 3^rd birth and she has planned the process from a non-medicalised perspective.  Next time, she will have music, movies, tasty smoothies, my voice on her headphones and lots of flowers and balloons (as well as a welcome cheese and wine platter afterwards).  And this time, a very supportive partner!