top of page

overcoming your
birth trauma

Birth Trauma Treatment in Colorado

The term birth trauma can refer to different aspects of a difficult, or traumatic, birth of a child. For us, birth trauma denotes the traumatic emotional reactions that a mother may go through after a difficult birth. Perhaps your birth trauma was triggered by an unexpected type of birth like a C-section when you were expecting a “normal” delivery. Having a premature baby, experiencing a physical injury to the baby or mother during the birthing process can also cause birth trauma. Or, any other birth or labor-related issues that were unexpected and traumatic for the mother.

 

Other terms for birth trauma include perinatal PTSD or postpartum PTSD. These terms signify the same set of symptoms a mother experiences after having a traumatic birth.

​

When you experienced birth trauma, your expectations for your labor and delivery were likely shattered. Many women dream and visualize what their birth experience will be like. Of course, when these expectations become unfulfilled, you can have some grief over the loss of your ideal delivery. So, not only do you have grief from your birth experience, but you are also experiencing traumatic emotional responses. Any real or perceived trauma that occurs during the delivery can trigger birth trauma or postpartum PTSD.

​

Do any of these symptoms of birth trauma/postpartum PTSD describe you?
​

  • The birthing process elicited emotions of extreme helplessness, fear or terror

  • You and/or your child were in a life-threatening situation during the birth

  • The baby, or momma, was injured in some way during the event

  • You experienced an unplanned C-section

  • You have a history of PTSD

  • The baby is/was in the NICU following his or her birth

  • It is difficult to recall the details of the traumatic birth

  • You feel estranged or detached from others

  • The inability to feel any positive or good emotions

  • You are having trouble focusing on concentrating

  • An irritable or grouchy mood most of the time.

  • Repetitive, unwanted images or memories of your birth experience are re-occurring

  • Intrusive thoughts about the birth that you cannot get out of your head

  • Intense and prolonged anxiety or distress occurs when triggered by memories of the event

​

Having a baby can be an emotionally vulnerable time for a woman. You may be in a hospital setting and perhaps hospitals have always scared you, which only adds to your traumatic experience. In addition, during labor, you often have to be dependent on others. Such as doctors, nurses, or midwives, and you may be used to being very independent and able to take care of yourself. If you are experiencing even some of the above symptoms, you may have postpartum PTSD from your traumatic birth.

​

If you are experiencing postpartum PTSD symptoms and had a traumatic birth experience, there is hope. If you are having trouble bouncing back emotionally, know that postpartum PTSD is treatable. What you are experiencing is not unusual, and it can be temporary with the proper treatment. Pregnancy can be a challenging time for some women and giving birth even more difficult. Catalyss Counseling can help you process your birth trauma, put it behind you, and move forward with your life caring for your baby and family.​

Woman looking upset with her head in her hands. She had a traumatic birth and needs online therapy in Colorado and birth trauma therapy in Englewood, CO at Catalyss Counseling

How to feel better with birth trauma treatment:

Here are some of the changes you can expect to see in yourself after birth trauma counseling with us:

​

  • Less affected by triggers to your birth experience so you can move ahead with your life

  • Improved connections with others instead of feeling so detached

  • Increase in mood and happiness, even laughter again

  • Feelings of peacefulness instead of constant anxiety and vigilance

  • Ability to focus on your own self-care without feeling guilty

​

Getting treatment for your birth trauma and possible postpartum PTSD can help you feel like yourself again. While your life has definitely changed after having a baby, your personality hasn't, and we can help you get back to that person you know and love. And, perhaps, even think about having kids again without distress, if that is your plan.

​

Our approach to birth trauma treatment

Woman looking happy at a flower. She feels better after online therapy in Colorado and birth trauma therapy in Englewood, CO at Catalyss Counseling

While you are recovering physically from giving birth, you are also experiencing trauma. Especially the emotional consequences of having postpartum PTSD after the trauma from your birth. You may feel overwhelmed, anxious, hopeless, agitated, or depressed. At Catalyss Counseling, we understand that you may be experiencing more than postpartum PTSD.

 

So, we specialize in treating you as a whole person. Our licensed and experienced therapists are trained in maternal mental health issues. This includes postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and PTSD. We have the confidence, experience, and hope needed to help you get better.​

​

Treatment approaches for birth trauma often incorporate trauma and anxiety work. One treatment approach in particular for birth trauma is EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Some of our therapists are trained in EMDR and will work with you to determine if/when this treatment is necessary for your recovery from birth trauma.

how online counseling for birth trauma can help

If you're unable to come into the office for traditional in-person therapy, Catalyss Counseling also offers online counseling via a secure video platform. We know that it's hard to leave your house after your birth experience, or perhaps treatment for postpartum PTSD or birth trauma isn't available locally in your area. The benefits of online counseling include flexibility and convenience, and treatment for birth trauma may be done on an online format. Our therapists are trained in how to make you feel comfortable while doing teletherapy in a way that makes you feel safe and understood.

how therapy for Birth Trauma works near Denver

Counseling and birth trauma treatment with Catalyss Counseling can help you Overcome Your Birth Trauma. Our therapists specialize in treating trauma, pregnancy, and postpartum issues, and we know that therapy and lasting change takes time and commitment. We can even help you anywhere in the state with online therapy in Colorado. If you’d like to talk to someone more about how we treat birth trauma, follow these simple steps

  1. Contact us today for a free 20-minute phone consultation,

  2. Or, you can book directly online with our birth trauma specialists, Kristen Dammer and Alicia Kwande

  3. Begin healing your birth trauma and reconnect with your baby

Image of a brain in a hand, for online therapy in Colorado and birth trauma therapy in Englewood, CO at Catalyss Counseling

Other Therapy Services Available at Catalyss Counseling

 

You deserve a full and fulfilled life, momma. That's why we want to make sure you know we are here for your counseling needs in the Denver area. In fact, we can provide counseling for the entire state through online therapy in Colorado. Our supportive therapists provide therapy for anxiety, depression counseling, therapy for grief and loss, stress management counseling, couples counseling, and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and more. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.

​

bottom of page