Birth Trauma
By: Christina Haughton, LPC Intern
Birth trauma is one of those topics that are often not discussed, resulting in most individuals not being aware of it or the appropriate response to it when it occurs. Birth trauma can be defined as any emotional or physical pain experienced prior, during or following childbirth (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Despite not getting the attention it deserves; this issue is incredibly prevalent. For illustration, consider the fact that up to one in three mothers giving birth encounter a traumatic birth, in the United States (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Nonetheless, there are numerous contributing factors that can result in birth trauma. Moreover, this trauma can also affect the baby (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
Physical Birth Trauma
Physical birth trauma typically refers to an injury or anything that is visible or tangible during the event, such as birth injuries (baby getting stuck in the birth canal) or birth complications (needing emergency c-section) (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Unfortunately, babies can also experience birth injury in the process. Brachial palsy is among the most prevalent birth injuries sustained by babies (Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, n.d.). This happens when damage is done to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that supply the hands and arms (Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, n.d.). It most frequently occurs when shoulder dystocia, or difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder, occurs (Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, n.d.). Unfortunately, the infant loses their ability to rotate and flex their arm. However, if the damage resulted in swelling and bruises surrounding the nerves, the infant should recover movements in the affected arm, but permanent nerve injury could result if the nerve was torn (Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, n.d.).
Emotional Birth Trauma
This refers to the psychological aspect of the trauma, in terms of what you are feeling as a result of the birth experience (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). For instance, being separated from the baby because they needed medical attention, feeling there was a lack of support from the medical team or family members and the experience was not what one was hoping for (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
Symptoms of Birth Trauma
- Possessing intrusive thoughts or nightmares regarding the experience (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Emotional distress or panic attacks are normally associated with reliving the experience (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
- Averting reminders of childbirth (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). For instance, not wanting to see women who are expecting and often some women will avoid their babies (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
- Developing low self-esteem or feeling responsible for the traumatic birth (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).
Birth trauma can lead to numerous psychological disorders such post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), postpartum depression, anxiety, postpartum depression or psychosis. It is important to note that this can look different for each client and should be treated as such.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2025, February 19). What is birth trauma & do you have it?. Cleveland
Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/birth-trauma
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. (n.d.). Birth injuries. Stanford Medicine Children’s
Health. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=birth-injuries-90-
P02687