The Short Story
Elizabeth Stoodley
Local to the Kingston, Ontario, Canada area, I know personally the psychological, emotional, and physical injuries that pre-birth, birth-related, and postnatal trauma can leave a woman and her loved-ones with.
I'm on a mission to help other women find the incredible joy and empowerment that awaits them on the other side of trauma and PTSD.
Healing
Private, woman-to-woman consultations to fit your schedule and budget. We'll discuss your experiences, goals, and create plans to understand and manage your triggers. There is hope and healing ahead!
Connecting
Come meet with myself and others who are walking this path, too. Monthly in-person & virtual support gatherings, as well as a separate movie night with a focus on women's health. Let's learn & share together!
What is birth trauma?
Today, birth trauma refers to any experience that is personally perceived as a threat to the physical, psychological, emotional, social, sexual, or spiritual life of a birthing woman. In countries where Western medicine governs maternity care services, including Canada, 1 in 3 birthing women describe their birth experience as traumatic, and 1 in 8 meet all criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These PTSD rates exceed those of 9/11 survivors, and Canadian war veterans who have been posted overseas.
What causes birth trauma?
Birth trauma, as with any trauma, is defined by the perceiver. Two people may outwardly appear to have the same experience, with one feeling traumatized, and the other feeling well. According to research, the number one cause of birth trauma is negative interactions with one's care providers, whether that be physical, verbal, or psychological. Some high risk factors include: - being a first-time parent - being under the age of 30 - having a history of trauma or abuse - being a BIPOC woman - hyperemisis or other causes of nutritional deficiencies
Effects of Trauma
Trauma is like construction in your brain. It re-routes traffic to your brain stem (think: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses) in an attempt to protect you from dangers that you may not otherwise recognize. Unfortunately this can negatively impact every aspect of a person's life, such as their attention-span, emotional regulation, memory, bonding, relationships, ability to learn, etc. Often those suffering from trauma feel a complete loss of their old self and abilities, which furthers their emotional dysregulation and also leads to physical health issues from over-stimulation of their nervous system.