Perinatal Trauma

Research estimates that upwards of 20% of people will experience some level of perinatal trauma, infertility, or pregnancy loss in their lifetime.   These experiences can be contributing factors for postpartum depression and anxiety.  

Furthermore, these events tend to be complicated and multifaceted, requiring a purposeful approach to therapy.  The impact of these experiences tend to fall into 4 categories, each of which may become an important focus of treatment:

1. The EMOTIONAL TOLL of the traumatic experiences

Healing will likely need to focus on the emotional rollercoaster and emotional suffering experienced with perinatal issues.  Emotional responses can vary but may include terror, panic, self-blame, grief, disappointment, rage, or panic.  

2.  Shifts in IDENTITY

Perinatal difficulties or loss often impacts our sense of identity, meaning how we see ourselves and how we fit into the world around us.  Our culture places very specific norms on parenting and motherhood, and our experiences may challenge these both internally and externally.  Maladaptive shifts in identity can include self-blame, a sense of betrayal by the body, or a devaluing of womanhood or personhood.  

3. Medical Trauma 

Medical trauma includes emergency or unexpected procedures, significant shifts from birth plan, or negative experiences with providers and medical systems at large.  These experiences may contribute to a sense of feeling "trapped" or "not having a voice" in relation to birth procedures or processes.  

4.  Sense of ISOLATION or disconnection

Women often report feeling both isolated and disconnected from others following perinatal challenges or trauma.  In a world obsessed with parenthood, challenges in these areas can keep us from feeling understood and different (not belonging) from our peer group, partner, or family.  

At Denver Wellness Counseling we often implement EMDR protocols to heal the trauma of perinatal issues, infertility, and pregnancy loss in all 4 areas of impact (emotional toll, identity shifts, medical trauma, and isolation).