High Risk Pregnancy - Traumatic Birth - Moms of NICU Babies
The impacts of trauma from a traumatic labor & delivery, having a baby in the NICU, or suffering through a high risk pregnancy can last long-term. With therapy, Chelsea supports you in desensitizing & reprocessing the traumatic memories in both your mind & your body, to eliminate symptoms of trauma & allow you to fully embrace your role as a mama, as well as have a fresh start for subsequent pregnancies.
High Risk Pregnancy
That phrase alone strikes feelings of terror & uncertainty into the heart of a mama-to-be.
The fear of the unknown. The fear of what’s to come.
Facing the complications a high risk pregnancy brings while carrying the child you so badly want to see to term, is a terrifying & overwhelming situation.
Sometimes even being faced with the impossible potential decision of either giving up your baby‘s life or your very own life.
And on top of the trauma of this experience you are grieving the loss of a healthy pregnancy & being robbed of the opportunity to joyfully bond with your growing baby.
Traumatic Birth
Previous experiences of sexual abuse can heighten & be retriggered in your body during the labor & delivery process. You might feel like you were violated & stripped of your dignity as doctors did things to your body without your permission.
Experiencing a long labor processes, traumatic vaginal birth, or emergency c-section can have lasting impacts long after a successful delivery.
Maybe you felt invisible as doctors & nurses ignored your questions & spoke in hushed tones.
You felt powerless, unprotected, & betrayed.
You were abandoned — left alone in your fear, not knowing what to expect.
Many times the trauma of these experiences is downplayed & minimized because the focus shifts to your baby. You might hear phrases like, “Well at least your baby’s healthy.”
You have a right to your own experience, & if ignored it will only get worse. There is help & healing available.
NICU Moms
Leaving the hospital without your baby is a feeling no mom should have to endure.
This is not what you had imagined.
All you want is to hold your baby.
Bring your baby home. But at the same time you’re scared to bring your baby home.
The fear of losing your baby, & not knowing what the road ahead looks like.
You don’t know what the right thing to do is. How long should you stay with your baby in the NICU? You feel guilty when you leave. Overwhelmed with emotion.