What Is Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma refers to the emotional and psychological distress some parents experience during or after childbirth. It may result from medical complications, loss of control, lack of communication, or unexpected interventions during labor and delivery.

For many mothers (and sometimes fathers), what was meant to be a joyous event can instead feel overwhelming, frightening, or violating. Even when the baby is healthy, the experience can leave lasting emotional scars.

At the Center for Postpartum & Family Health (CPFH), our therapists in Houston and The Woodlands help parents process these experiences and begin to heal — because every birth story deserves compassion.

How Common Is Birth Trauma?

Recent research from the American Psychological Association and Postpartum Support International (PSI) shows that:

• Up to 45% of birthing parents describe their births as “traumatic.”

• Around 6–9% meet the full criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth.

• Rates have increased slightly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced new fears, medical restrictions, and isolation during birth.

Birth trauma can occur in any type of delivery — vaginal, assisted, or cesarean — and affects both first-time and experienced parents.

What Causes Birth Trauma?

Every person’s experience is unique, but common causes include:

• Feeling powerless or uninformed during labor

• Emergency procedures (such as unplanned C-sections or NICU transfers)

• Physical pain, injury, or blood loss

• Lack of consent or communication during interventions

• Loss, stillbirth, or medical complications

• Separation from the baby after delivery

• Lack of partner or family support during birth (especially during pandemic restrictions)

Even when a provider’s intentions are good, trauma can occur if a parent feels ignored, unsafe, or violated in the process.

“You can be grateful your baby is healthy — and still grieve how the birth happened.” — Lorissa Eichenberger, LMFT, Therapist at CPFH

 What Does Birth Trauma Feel Like?

Symptoms can appear days, weeks, or months after giving birth. Many parents describe feeling:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the birth

• Panic, anxiety, or hypervigilance

• Difficulty bonding with the baby

• Shame or guilt about feeling “ungrateful”

• Irritability or anger toward self, partner, or providers

• Avoidance of medical appointments, hospitals, or conversations about birth

Sometimes, birth trauma is intertwined with postpartum depression or anxiety. Therapists now recognize these experiences under the broader category of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) — which affect up to 1 in 5 mothers.

What Does Recovery Look Like?

Healing from birth trauma starts with one essential truth: You’re not broken — you experienced something overwhelming.

Therapy can help parents:

• Process and reframe their birth story in a safe, supportive environment

• Learn grounding and emotion-regulation skills to reduce flashbacks and panic

• Rebuild trust and confidence in their bodies

• Strengthen bonding with their baby and partner

• Explore grief, guilt, and anger without judgment

At CPFH, we use trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies like:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• DBT Skills for emotional regulation

• Attachment-based approaches for parent-infant bonding

What Can Partners Do?

Partners and family members play a key role in recovery. You can help by:

• Listening without minimizing (“At least the baby’s okay” can feel invalidating)

• Encouraging rest and supporting nighttime routines

• Watching for signs of sleep disruption, irritability, or emotional withdrawal

• Helping to schedule therapy or postpartum support visits

If your partner is struggling, offer connection, not correction. The most healing words are often: “That sounds hard — I’m here.”

Where to Find Birth Trauma Support in Houston & The Woodlands

If you suspect you’re experiencing birth trauma, you’re not alone — and help is available.

The Center for Postpartum & Family Health (CPFH) provides trauma-informed therapy for parents across Houston, The Woodlands, and throughout Texas via telehealth.

Our clinicians specialize in perinatal trauma, grief, and mood disorders, offering both individual and group therapy options.

📞 Call 713.561.3884 or email info@cpfh.org to connect with a therapist.

References

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). “Trauma-Informed Care in Obstetrics and Gynecology.” ACOG Committee Opinion.

2. Postpartum Support International (PSI). “Birth Trauma.” PSI Resources.

3. American Psychological Association. “Trauma of Childbirth Can Lead to Postpartum PTSD.” APA Article.

🩺 About the Author

Lauren Pasqua, PsyD, PMH-C, Licensed Psychologist (TX License #36214) Executive Director, Center for Postpartum & Family Health (CPFH)

Credentials: PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), DBT and TBRI-trained clinician. Experience: Over 20 years supporting parents and families through life transitions. Professional Profiles:

• LinkedIn

• Psychology Today

Last Medically Reviewed: October 21, 2025 Reviewer: Lauren Pasqua, PsyD, PMH-C