Birth trauma can cause physical and psychological injuries to both mother and baby during childbirth. Physical injuries to the baby can include abrasions, soft tissue and bone damage, while the mother may experience internal bleeding and tearing. Psychological trauma can lead to postpartum depression and PTSD. While physical injuries to the baby are estimated to occur in seven births in 1,000, there is little evidence that it affects future mental health. Early treatment is recommended for both mother and baby.
Birth trauma is any psychological or physical injury caused by birth or childbirth. The physical trauma of birth can include injuries to the baby such as abrasions and damage to soft tissue and bone. Physical trauma to the mother can include internal bleeding, tearing and other health problems. The psychological trauma of birth typically in the mother can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and varying degrees of postpartum depression. While some also theorize that a child may experience psychological trauma, it has not been proven.
During labor and delivery, a baby can be physically injured. This is estimated to occur in seven births in 1,000, with higher rates among older children. A baby passes from the womb into the world through an extremely narrow passage. This, along with the uterus contracting to help push the baby out, can lead to physical injury. The most common of these in non-intervention births is soft tissue damage. Bruising and swelling of the head, face, upper body, and legs are all common and typically referred to as stork bites. Depending on the position of the baby as it moves through the birth canal, the bones can fracture or even break.
When intervention is needed during a vaginal birth, the forceps or vacuum used to extract the baby from the mother can cause cuts, bruises and damage to the skull in rare cases. These injuries are typically the most severe forms of physical trauma at birth. For this reason, these instruments are generally not used unless the baby or mother is in distress and a C-section is impossible.
While giving birth, a mother can also suffer physical injuries. The most common of these are perineal tears and blood loss due to hemorrhaging. While the former is relatively common and usually easily treated with a few stitches, the latter can be dangerous if the bleeding cannot be stopped. These physical injuries, as well as other problems, can lead to psychological birth trauma in the mother.
Childbirth is considered by many to be one of the most exciting and terrifying moments in a mother’s life. Many women have a very clear idea of the kind of birth they want; when this expectation is not met, it can lead to postpartum depression. As with any traumatic experience, in a birth where the mother or baby requires extreme life-saving measures or experiences life-threatening health problems, a woman can experience PTSD. Some healthcare professionals view postpartum depression caused by drastic hormonal changes as a form of psychological birth trauma. In all of these cases, early treatment is best for both the new mother and her baby.
Some believe that a physically traumatic birth can lead to psychological problems for a baby. While the physical trauma of birth has been shown to lead to delays in motor skills, there is little or no evidence that how a person is born makes a difference to their future mental health. Birth trauma in general, however, can have a significant impact on mothers, babies and their families.
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