Despite its portrayal as one of the most beautiful and magical experiences a woman can have, the process of birthing a human can be one of the most traumatic and life-threatening events many individuals ever face. Given the reality that physically and psychologically tragic births are not rare, the dangers of giving birth should be widely acknowledged, understood, and considered when deciding to procreate or to remain childfree.  

Many Women Who Have Had Kids State That If People Knew The Reality Of Childbirth Far Fewer Women Would Be Opting For Procreation

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Some people decide to forgo having multiple children because their first or previous birth experience was so damaging and they cannot contemplate enduring another pregnancy and birth. When humans create life they risk subjecting themselves to unimaginable trauma and they nearly guarantee trauma for the human they produce (since all humans are likely to suffer trauma at least some point in their life).

Births are typically considered successful if the mother and baby are physically unharmed– but there's a lot more that can go wrong during the birthing process that is often overlooked and unexamined, such as the subjective experience of the mother. As birth trauma expert Cheryl Tatano Beck states, “Success was defined completely in terms of the outcome of the infant. Mothers’ traumatic experiences of labor and delivery were pushed into the background as a healthy baby took center stage. No one wanted to hear or dwell on all that the mother had endured to give birth. Repeatedly, mothers were told ‘the baby could have died, but is fine. Celebrate and move on.’”

Many mothers struggle to bond with their baby due to their traumatizing birth and symptoms that followed. The emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of their developing child can be hurt from a lack of interaction and bonding at an early stage of life. Lack of attention, support, comfort, and proper nourishment in early years can have devastating lifelong impacts for a young human. This cycle can continue, with the parent feeling worse and worse about their child’s wellbeing, but unable to improve their circumstances due to the parent’s unresolved physical and emotional trauma from birth. 

The only true form of prevention from birth trauma is not giving birth in the first place. One can safeguard against pregnancy and birth with proper education, access to effective forms of contraception, abstinence, support from others, and access to safe and affordable or free abortions.

“ Birth trauma is one of the leading risk factors that can lead to and contribute to anxiety and depression in the postpartum period.”

-PAIGE BELLENBAUM, LMSW MOTHERHOOD CENTER OF NEW YORK FOUNDING DIRECTOR

Who Is More Likely To Be Affected By Birth Trauma Due To Their Background?

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Individuals who were pressured into having kids

Individuals who have tokophobia, a fear of pregnancy and/or childbirth

Individuals who are single

Individuals who had an unintended pregnancy

Individuals who are low-income

Individuals who have anxiety or depression disorders

Individuals who have a history of being victim to sexual abuse

Individuals who aren’t confident in their ability to cope with the physical pain of giving birth

Individuals who have a family history of difficulty with labor

Individuals who lack sufficient parental care and training

Individuals who had complex fertility and pregnancy issues

Individuals who didn’t get adequate exercise during pregnancy

Individuals with a history of psychiatric problems or previous trauma (females with a long history of trauma will be more vulnerable to PTSD following birth if they don't have enough support and care during pregnancy and the birth process)

What Are The Physical Factors That Can Lead To Birth Trauma?

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Emergency cesarean section surgery

Forceps-assisted delivery

Vaccum-assisted delivery

Very long labor 

Giving birth at an older age

Episiotomy, an incision to the tissue of the perineum (space between the vagina and the anus)

First to fourth degree tears

Premature births

Severely high levels of pain

Hemorrhaging 

Nerve damage

Physical abuse

Being in a sexually exposed or humiliating position

Vaginal violations

What Are The Psychological Factors That Can Lead To Birth Trauma?

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Unrealistic expectations of what birthing a human will be like

Feeling unheard, ignored, or betrayed

Feeling alone or being alone

Feeling out of control or helpless

Having no say in the decision making and what is done to one’s body

Being objectified

Discrimination

Feeling overwhelmed 

Verbal abuse and gaslighting

Having one’s privacy violated

Unfamiliar environment and unfamiliar care staff

Unsympathetic attitudes from health professionals

Feelings of neglect and abandonment

Tense atmosphere

Partner's lack of support

What Are The Physical Symptoms Of Birth Trauma?

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Continuing pain around the site of the episiotomy (a surgical operation to enlarge the vaginal opening for easier childbirth)

Chronic illness

Urinary or fecal incontinence 

Difficulty opening and emptying bowels

Physical or psychological difficulty in having sex

Not wanting to have sex

Experiencing less sexual pleasure

A dragging/heavy feeling in the pelvis or a sense that something is ‘falling out’ – this symptom may be increased by standing, lifting, fatigue or during a menstrual cycle

What Are The Psychological Symptoms Of Birth Trauma?

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Inability or struggle to bond with baby

Feeling stuck in past events

Painful flashbacks

Sleeplessness and nightmares

Hallucinations

Negative self-image

Suicidal ideation

Feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror in reaction to reminders of the experience itself and things associated with it

Avoidance of triggers like individuals, places, and situations that spark flashbacks

Irritability

Distress

Anger

Postpartum depression

PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)

Prevent Birth Trauma

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We can prevent instances of birth trauma by speaking up about this ugly and widespread childbearing reality as well as supporting and empowering those who choose to opt out of procreation. There are all kinds of ways to have relationships with babies and older children without relying on biological birthing; we can foster, adopt, volunteer, babysit, teach, mentor, provide housing, donate, and socialize with children. There is no known desire to come into existence, but plenty of humans (young and old) would love to have their lives vastly improved. Instead of needlessly creating more pain, suffering, and trauma for ourselves and others, why not help to create more joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment by helping already existing individuals who possess real interests, desires, and unmet needs?