EMDR and Birth Trauma
The lead up to having a baby is often an exciting time. However, sometimes the process of giving birth isn’t the happy occasion one has longed for. This is particularly when the birth hasn’t gone to plan.
Women can be left feeling traumatised by the birthing experience, and this can be due to emergency medical interventions, feeling a lack of support or guidance during the birthing experience, and feelings of loss of control.
In some instances, trauma symptoms can arise and persist long after a difficult birth, and it can sometimes be hard to imaging being able to cope with a future pregnancy or birth.
The psychological impact of birth trauma can be profound. Women may experience symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can interfere with bonding with the baby, impact relationships, and affect overall well-being.
For many who have experienced birth trauma, there will be intrusive thoughts, images and nightmares about the birth. Distress can be associated with reminders of the birth, and feelings of dissociation, numbness or feeling spacey or disconnected are not uncommon. There might also be hypervigilance such as frequently checking baby; feelings of inadequacy, shame, and difficult feelings towards one’s own body.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an established treatment for those who are struggling and suffering with the aftermath of a traumatic birth, and offers hope for those wanting to heal from their birth experience.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
EMDR therapy involves eight phases. The core component of EMDR is the use of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, vibrations, or sounds, which helps to reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. Here is an overview of the phases:
- History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers a comprehensive history and develops a treatment plan.
- Preparation: The patient is introduced to EMDR techniques and taught coping strategies for managing emotional distress.
- Assessment: The therapist identifies specific traumatic memories to target.
- Desensitization: The patient focuses on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation.
- Installation: Positive beliefs are strengthened to replace negative thoughts associated with the trauma.
- Body Scan: The patient checks for any residual physical tension related to the trauma.
- Closure: The therapist ensures the patient returns to a state of calm and provides strategies for self-care between sessions.
- Reevaluation: Progress is assessed, and any remaining targets are identified for future sessions.
EMDR and Birth Trauma
EMDR can lead to significant reductions in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive memories. The therapy helps to reframe the traumatic experience, allowing the individual to process the event in a healthier way and integrate it into their life story without the intense emotional distress previously associated with it. People who undergo EMDR often report that the previously traumatic experience feels more ‘distant’ and that they can think of the event (after EMDR) with much less experience of distress.
Case Studies and Research
Several studies and case reports highlight the effectiveness of EMDR for birth trauma:
- A 2013 study published in the “Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology” found that women who received EMDR therapy after traumatic childbirth reported significant improvements in PTSD symptoms compared to those who did not receive the therapy.
- Case studies, such as one published in the “Journal of EMDR Practice and Research,” demonstrate how EMDR helped women overcome severe birth-related trauma and regain a sense of control and well-being.
We would love the opportunity to help you or a loved one begin to heal.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you would like some help. To enquire about an appointment at Moving Forward Clinical Psychologists, please complete our Online Contact Form, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly. Alternatively, please call us on 1300 133 013.
Our experienced Clinical Psychologists are located in Terrigal (10 minutes from Erina) on the beautiful NSW Central Coast. We are also available Australia wide, via Telehealth.
References
- Shapiro, F. (1989). Eye Movement Desensitization: A New Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology (2013). EMDR for Birth Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. Case Studies in EMDR for Birth Trauma.