Birth Trauma and the Need for Systemic Change in Birthwork

What is Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma is a deeply impactful and often overlooked aspect of maternity care. While many assume that a "successful" birth simply means a healthy baby, the reality is that birth trauma can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and physical scars on birthing individuals. Birth trauma is not just about medical emergencies, it can stem from feelings of fear, loss of control, lack of consent, and disrespectful or dismissive care during labor and delivery.

A staggering 45% of birthing people describe their birth as traumatic (Source: National Library of Medicine), with 9% developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result (Source: American Psychiatric Association). This issue is widespread, yet it remains underreported and often dismissed by medical professionals. Birthwork is essential in addressing this crisis by advocating for respectful, informed, and compassionate care.

The Leading Causes of Birth Trauma

Birth trauma can result from a variety of factors, including:

• Lack of Informed Consent: Studies show that 66% of birthing people do not feel fully informed about medical interventions during labor (Source: Improving Birth). Many report experiencing procedures such as inductions, episiotomies, and C-sections without proper discussion or consent.

• Unnecessary Medical Interventions: The U.S. has a C-section rate of 32%, nearly double the 15% recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) (Source: WHO)). While lifesaving when necessary, excessive C-sections can increase maternal complications and contribute to trauma.

• Loss of Autonomy: Many birthing individuals report being pressured into interventions they did not want. In one survey, 59% of respondents felt pressured into receiving an epidural or Pitocin augmentation, leading to feelings of helplessness and regret (Source: Birth Trauma Association).

• Disrespect and Mistreatment: The WHO states that one in six women worldwide experiences mistreatment during childbirth, including verbal abuse, discrimination, and neglect (Source: WHO). In the U.S., Black women disproportionately experience mistreatment, with 21% reporting discrimination or dismissal of their concerns compared to 14% of white women (Source: CDC).

• Physical Trauma: Birth injuries, including severe perineal tears and uterine ruptures, can cause long-term pain and medical complications. Approximately 85% of first-time mothers experience some form of perineal trauma, and up to 20% suffer from ongoing postpartum pain due to childbirth-related injuries (Source: National Institutes of Health).

  
  

The Long-Term Impact of Birth Trauma

Birth trauma is not just a momentary experience, it has long-lasting effects that can impact a person’s mental health, relationships, and future pregnancies.

• Postpartum PTSD: Research suggests that up to 9% of birthing individuals develop PTSD following a traumatic birth, with symptoms including flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional detachment (Source: American Psychiatric Association).

• Postpartum Depression (PPD): Those who experience birth trauma are at a fourfold increased risk of developing PPD, affecting bonding with their baby and overall well-being (Source: National Library of Medicine).

• Avoidance of Future Pregnancies: A significant number of people who experience birth trauma report avoiding future pregnancies due to fear of another traumatic birth. Studies indicate that up to 30% of individuals with birth trauma delay or entirely avoid having more children (Source: Birth Trauma Association).

• Strained Partner Relationships: Birth trauma can also impact marriages and relationships, with many partners feeling helpless or traumatized themselves after witnessing a difficult birth.

How Birthwork is Addressing Birth Trauma

The role of birthwork is critical in addressing and preventing birth trauma. Birthworkers—including doulas, midwives, and birth educators—are actively working to change the birth landscape by advocating for respectful, informed, and trauma-sensitive care. Here’s how:

1. Advocacy for Informed Consent

• Birth doulas help clients understand their options and ensure they are fully informed before making medical decisions.

• Studies show that having a doula reduces the likelihood of unnecessary interventions and increases feelings of autonomy and satisfaction in birth (Source: Cochrane Review).

2. Promoting Physiological Birth When Safe and Possible

• Encouraging movement, hydrotherapy, and other non-medical comfort measures can reduce the need for unnecessary interventions.

• Continuous labor support from a doula decreases the chance of a C-section by 39% and reduces the need for pain medications (Source: National Library of Medicine).

3. Training Providers in Trauma-Informed Care

• Birthwork advocates are pushing for trauma-informed training for OB/GYNs, midwives, and nurses to ensure compassionate care.

• A 2021 study found that patients who received trauma-informed care during labor reported a 60% decrease in anxiety and fear (Source: Journal of Perinatal Education).

4. Addressing Racial Disparities in Birth Trauma

• Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women (Source: CDC). Birthworkers are fighting for policy changes to improve maternity care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

• Community-based doula programs have been shown to reduce preterm birth rates by 20% in marginalized communities (Source: National Institutes of Health).

Final Thoughts: Birthwork is the Future of Respectful Maternity Care

The current maternity care system is failing too many birthing people, but birthwork offers a path forward. Through education, advocacy, and support, birthworkers are helping to create a culture where every birth is respected, every voice is heard, and every parent leaves their birth experience feeling empowered—not traumatized.

If you’re preparing for birth, seeking support after a traumatic experience, or looking for ways to advocate for better maternity care, reach out. You deserve a birth experience that honors your autonomy, safety, and well-being.