Listening To Traumatic Birth Stories
She thought that they were so kind. So caring and so generous.⠀
She’d never done this before. It felt exciting but scary. A whole new life to grow and to protect⠀
She listened and paid attention. They told her that birth can be a risky business but that they were there to look after her.⠀
Such a lovely group of people.⠀
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At 39 weeks her kind midwife told her that she’d give her a stretch and sweep as that way her baby could arrive before her pregnancy dragged on and became dangerous. She said that she didn’t want to be induced, did she? So a sweep was best.⠀
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At 41 weeks and two sweeps later, her kind midwife booked her Induction in.⠀
She told her it was the safest thing to do. Her body obviously just couldn’t go into labour, it would just be a nudge... Placentas fail, babies have died and she did not want that to happen to her.⠀
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And at 42 weeks there she was. Her kind and generous team welcomed her and looked after her while the gel over-stimulated her uterus. While the drip made her body work too hard. While her baby went into distress. While fear swept through her body. While they kindly wheeled her through to surgery. While she bled. ⠀
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They smiled as they wheeled her back to the ward. They kindly gave her morphine to cope.⠀
Told her how well she did and that the drain pipe into her stomach would come out tomorrow and the catheter taken out when she was up and about again.⠀
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And there they left her.⠀
A bit broken. With a baby she couldn’t reach or hold.⠀
So thankful that they were there to help her along. To save the day.⠀
They were so nice and kind and a healthy baby is all that matters after all... isn’t it?
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The wolves in sheep's’ clothing?⠀
In my other world I work with women who have suffered traumatic births. Helping them to overcome that trauma and move forwards with their lives again. I wrote this in response to the many stories I have been told.
Clearly there are many reasons for trauma in birth and many stories told. Some themes, such as unnecessary induction of labour, just repeat again and again though.
If you would like to work through your birth trauma with me just click on the link and we can get something booked in. https://www.betterbirthstories.com/private-1-to-1