Trauma-Informed Care in Birth Spaces

Trauma-informed care should be the norm in medical settings, but sometimes we have to put the odds in our favor & outright advocate for it.

When I’m getting to know my clients at prenatal visits, a topic we touch on is how trauma can impact our reactions & nervous system, from the lens of pregnancy and birth.

Even if a client doesn’t feel that they have had something significantly traumatic happen, a theme may emerge  — maybe there’s fear of speaking up or being invalidated, or a prior history of a power exchange being taken advantage of.

In pregnancy, I like to encourage my clients to get comfortable with addressing their wants & needs before it’s baby day.

This can look like presenting a birth plan to the care team midway through pregnancy, discussing their wishes frequently, or being very vocal to each member of the care team about a history of trauma, so that everyone is aware & on the same page about their needs.

As a survivor myself, I want you to know that you take the power back each time that you use your voice. As your doula, I’m happy to lend my voice to you in challenging moments, and will absolutely speak up if I hear or see something that doesn’t align with your wishes.

Acknowledging that your trauma may impact your responses in labor can be a powerful thing! It provides an opportunity to show yourself the utmost compassion, through advocating for what you need in those moments.

Please be gentle with yourself as you prepare to meet your baby, and know that I’m so very proud of you.