Pregnancy is a time full of hope and positivity, where parents-to-be dream of what their baby will look like, their personality and what they will grow up to be. For many, giving birth is a momentous transition that allows them to start answering these questions, a powerful moment leading to the next chapter as a mother or father. However, for some, birth is a traumatic experience. If your birth didn’t go to plan, you may benefit from these four tips.
Give Yourself Time
In the days or weeks immediately after giving birth, your body is still in shock. Whether you have had a vaginal birth or a c-section, the recovery process takes time. Even a birth without additional complications has a huge effect on your body. Not only that, adjusting to life with a newborn and all that comes with your new bundle of joy does not happen overnight. Lack of sleep and learning how to deal with unfamiliar situations can affect your ability to think coherently, as can hormonal fluctuations. Be gentle with yourself in the early days.
Talk It Over
A problem shared is a problem halved, or so the saying goes, so don’t be afraid to talk things through. A partner can be a good person to share your feelings with as they are in a similar situation, or you may prefer to talk to a trusted friend. You may feel you would benefit from counselling or talking therapy. If this is the case, seek recommendations – it is important to find a practitioner who you can be honest with to reap the full benefits.
Seek Medical Advice
If you are struggling physically or mentally after giving birth, speak to a medical professional. Giving birth puts enormous pressure on the body and it is common for injuries sustained in birth to cause ongoing problems. Equally, mental health can suffer during the postnatal period. Both postnatal depression and postnatal psychosis are serious medical conditions but both are treatable with medication, therapy or combination treatment. You may also have worries about the health of your newborn baby – if this is the case, speak to a pediatric specialist about your concerns.
Seek Legal Advice
In rare cases, you may have suffered from negligence during your birth which could lead to serious and long-term health implications for you or your baby. Birth asphyxia, for example, where there is a lack of oxygen and blood flow at or close to the baby’s birth, can lead to babies having lasting neurodevelopmental impairments and severe brain damage. A traumatic birth injury attorney such as the specialists at Romanucci & Blandin have a wealth of experience and can offer support and advice. A good attorney will offer an initial consultation free of charge.
It is normal to feel distressed if your birth experience was traumatic. Allow yourself time to grieve for the birth you had hoped for and know that you do not have to face this difficult time alone.