Blog

No patient’s pain should ever be dismissed. Amber’s story is one of immense strength, endurance of unimaginable pain, and the lasting impact of two traumatic births. 💡 When providers adopt trauma-informed care practices, it has the power to change lives—starting with your next patient.

It may come to a surprise to many, but a negative subjective experience of childbirth is one of the strongest predictors for postpartum PTSD. So many of the women we work with describe having a feeling of powerlessness and loss of autonomy… the feeling that nobody in the room is listening or cares.  

J's story demonstrates the importance of understanding individuals in their cultural context and the need for transparent and meaningful conversation especially in times of crisis.  Her words implore us to “imagine, for a moment, being a rape survivor who has been tied down to a bed, naked or nearly naked.” Perspective-taking is an essential skill in implementing trauma-informed care. 

There will be grief….. Does there need to be trauma too? The NICU is perhaps one of the scariest places for any parent. In R’s story, we experience one mother’s agony and incredible love and resilience. R’s narrative also illustrates how a lack of sensitivity and compassionate care added additional trauma to her grief.

Obstetric trauma affects more than just the patient. When Margaret’s daughter went into labor, what started as a routine delivery turned into a life-threatening emergency in seconds. The aftermath left Margaret and her family feeling not only traumatized but also dismissed by hospital administrators.

Did you know that up to 44% of women report their birth experience to be traumatic? Sophie's story implores us to consider how small changes can make a powerful difference in how birthing people experience giving birth during and after the fact.

Kailee is a rape survivor. She is also a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor issues. This story, written entirely by the patient, is incredibly positive and teaches us that with the right preparation survivors can have a positive and healing experience during childbirth.  

Patient centered care is critical. Sharing control is not always easy for providers, but it can make a world of difference for patients navigating the childbirth experience, especially for those who have PTSD. Anne’s story illustrates the power of allowing our patients to be our teachers, truly listening and collaborating while creating a care plan that allows for the most positive outcome possible.