Managing Anxiety and Recovering From a Traumatic Birth

Giving birth is the most beautiful thing you can experience. Unfortunately, it can also be accompanied by complications, anxiety, and depression.

When you are in the early stages of suffering a traumatic birth, it can be hard to think of all the things you need to do. This article looks at some information that can help you navigate this tough time.

#1 Seek Support

If you have suffered a traumatic birth, for example, as a result of medical negligence, you must seek support. There are different kinds of support that you should seek at the beginning of this challenging time, including physical rehabilitation, emotional and mental health support, as well as legal support, and finding the right birth injury attorney for your case to support you with your claim.

All rounded support can benefit you in many ways, including:

Making the process more manageable with experts who have the tools and resources to help
Help you understand what has happened and why
Provide you with the opportunity to release pent-up stress and emotions, express yourself, and feel seen and heard.

#2 Release Any Judgement or Shame

In the unfortunate case of a traumatic birth and your plans not going ahead as you thought they would, it can be easy to place blame, judgment, and shame upon your shoulders. This is a very large burden to carry, and an unnecessary one. What happened is not a reflection of your parenting skills or you as a person. Instead, turn that judgment into pride, for being brave and get

#3 Build a Support System

You likely have friends and family who care deeply about you and want to help. It can be easy to shut them out or push them away, but surrounding yourself with a support system is a key step to recovery. You may not always feel like it, but letting people in can make you feel much better, as well as give you someone to talk to.

It is also important to seek support groups specific to the trauma and anxiety that you are experiencing, so you can connect with like-minded people who have been through the same thing as you. This can provide you with much deeper connections and support for your mental health. It can help to know that you are not alone in what you are going through and learn from others’ experiences.

#4 Be Patient with Yourself

Be patient with yourself and your recovery. Traumatic births are no easy ride, and it will take time to understand and process what happened, and even more, time to start taking steps forward. It is understandable, given your recent experience, that you may be in a lot of pain and decide that you do not want children again in the future. The truth is, you don’t know what will happen. Be kind, patient, and compassionate with yourself, and give yourself the space to heal. Try not to make any big or life-changing decisions straight away.

#5 Create a Routing

Going back to normal life after a traumatic event can be tough. It feels like everything is different, yet it all remains the same. Start small, by implementing quick and easy habits that you can conduct daily and turn into a routine. Here are some ideas to help get you moving:

Start your day with a glass of water
Step out into nature for 5 minutes
Move your body for 10 minutes
Go for a short walk on your street
Eat 5 fruit and vegetables per day

Ideally, these habits should be linked to your health. Your actions; what you consume, your time in nature, your sleeping patterns, and your activity all have an impact on your mental health. Implementing these lifestyle changes can significantly help you on your recovery journey.

#6 Get Adequate Rest

Resting is vital in your recovery journey. Your body and mind have been through a lot, which in turn can leave you depleted of energy and resources. Rest and getting adequate sleep ensures that your body and brain is recovering as it should be. Try going to sleep and getting up at the same time, to cement the routine into your body. You may find it hard to sleep at first, that is normal. Perhaps try some evening meditation, lavender spray, or a hot bath to relax before bed.

Going through a traumatic birth can be difficult to navigate and leave you with long-lasting mental health problems. Several different tips and strategies that can help you navigate everything, from fighting your case to rehabilitation.