6 Ways Perinatal Trauma Can Change Your Relationship with Your Body

Perinatal traumas can significantly affect your relationship with your body. If you've experienced a trauma, crisis or loss you may notice:

• Feeling betrayed by your body, or that your body failed you.

• Feeling unsafe or unable to trust in your body.

• Feeling numb or disconnected from your body.

• Hypersensitivity to touch.

• Your body can be a major source of triggers when you've experienced perinatal trauma.

• Negative thoughts and feelings about pregnancy/birth related changes in your body.

Experiencing a trauma during pregnancy or childbirth can stir up old traumas- for example, sexual, physical or emotional abuse, past medical traumas. Common occurrences such as your menstrual cycle, breast/chest feeding, or being around other pregnant people can become triggering and distressing. It's not uncommon to develop a fear of becoming pregnant or to become ambivalent about trying to become pregnant again, and to struggle with sex (even if you've been given the go ahead). Other physical reminders include c-section scars, tears, and IV bruises.

If you have a history of abuse (physical or sexual) or trauma, the physical aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, the physical intrusiveness of fertility treatments and obstetric care - as well as the physical intimacy of nursing and caring for a newborn- can be triggering. And if procedures were done to you without explanation or consent, if you felt pressured or trapped, you may be feeling that your body was violated.

You don't have to suffer with your trauma forever. Effective treatment for perinatal trauma is available, including trauma focused therapies like EMDR therapy, perinatal mental health specialists, and support groups. Finding the right kind of support can help you feel more grounded in the present and connected with yourself and the people most important to you.

Some of the kinds of experiences that are commonly traumatic for birthing people and their families include:

• Fertility challenges

• Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

• Death of an infant

• Medical complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum

• TFMR/pregnancy termination

• Past traumas that resurface during this period

  
  
  The good news is that trauma is treatable. If you're concerned about how you're feeling, reach out for help.