2009 The year of Birth Trauma Awareness

 

This is the year that groups are going to focus on the the negative outcome of pregancy and birth.  By doing so we can work towards its reduction, prevention and support for its victims

 

1st April 2009 Post Pregnancy Hysterectomy Awareness Day

 

Birth Trauma comes in many different forms, regardless of the trauma it can have long term devastation and consequences.

Primarily it can effect the one who experienced it

Secondary it can effect the whole family.

Birth trauma can be caused by what some people may consider as ‘trivial’ for example an internal examination what was either done without consent and/or caused pain, to something on the level of a hysterectomy that was done without necessity or consent.

For the person involved any aspect of birth that causes birth trauma is NOT trivial.  If it causes constant negative repetition in the mind it effects peoples lives.

Some birth trauma causes depression, the risk of suicide, and cause problems of future children where it would not have done if the trauma had not occurred.

All women needs to be cared for properly throughout their pregnancy, during and after birth.  No one has the right to inflict their views and actions on another without informed consent and even more so where there is irreversible consequences.

One of the aspects of birth trauma that makes the situation harder and more difficult is how it is not taken seriously.  Many comments or complaints are ignored. 

In the UK if something is done to you without your informed consent is ASSAULT.  Unfortunately when people try to contact the police about assault done to them in hospital the police refuse to deal with it as ‘it was done in a hospital’.  Some say that you loose your rights as soon as you enter a hospital.  Legally this is not the case, but if the police refuses to act the women are left in a very difficult situation.

Not being taken seriously and being able to go though a complaint can make the birth trauma worse.

What is done to people and the effects are too numerous to cover, however we do have examples over our Protecting Fertility section

If you have had a bad birth experience and do not feel that you can have another child.  Please read over our site as it will give you ideas about how to stay in control next time and what you can put in place to help protect yourself

If you have been given a post pregnancy hysterectomy, there is lots of information for you to read and to work your way though

 

 

 
External links that may assist you, *a little wish* is NOT responsible for their content

Link to Stages of Trauma Therapy
http://www.camh.net/Care_Treatment/Resources_clients_families_friends/Women_abuse_trauma_therapy/women_trauma_stages.html

Recovering from Trauma
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/index.php?term=20030806-000013&page=1

Stages of Healing Trauma
http://www.meditation-ptsd.com/StagesofHealingTrauma.html