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Healing After Birth Trauma: Physical and Psychological Impact, Emotional Recovery and Supportive Nursing Interventions Among Mothers – Article Review


Authors : Lamnunnem Haokip

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 9 - September


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2whdxw5z

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26sep195

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Birth is a life-changing moment; to some, it is exciting and hopeful, like fulfilment; while for others, giving birth may be terrifying or daunting or even traumatic. Birth trauma is when a woman may feel psychologically or emotionally distressed due to her childbirth experience, which she considers threatening, scary, or overwhelming. It might happen after an unplanned emergency caesarean section, or protracted/complicated labour, acute pain, post-natal complications such as obstetric haemorrhage or assisted reproductive delivery of the newborn, supplemented by severe maternal complications during birth or medical interventions and even induced separation from their baby. Importantly, birth trauma is subjective, and a medically uncomplicated birth may be experienced as traumatic by the mother. Some of the emotional impacts following a traumatic birth include: fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, helplessness and loss of control, as well as lower self-esteem and difficulty adjusting to motherhood. In some women, these symptoms become prolonged and can develop into post-traumatic stress, depression or an anxiety disorder. Birth trauma may affect outcomes related to breastfeeding, maternal–infant bonding, subsequent pregnancy plans, and a woman's relationship with healthcare services.

Keywords : Birth Trauma, Emotional Recovery, Nursing Intervention.

References :

  1. Ayers S, Horsch A, Garthus-Niegel S, Nieuwenhuijze M, Bogaerts A, Hartmann K, Karlsdottir SI, Oosterman M, Tecirli G, Turner JD, Lalor J. Traumatic birth and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder: International expert consensus recommendations for practice, policy, and research. Women and Birth. 2024 Mar 1;37(2):362-7.
  2. Webb R, Uddin N, Constantinou G, Cheyne H, Ayers S. Prevalence of birth trauma and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder in UK women: results from the international survey of childbirth-related trauma. Women's Reproductive Health. 2026 Jan 2;13(1):16-27.
  3. https://joinphoenixhealth.com/resourcecenter/birth-trauma-statistics/
  4. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045989
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539831/
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  7. Prado M, Camprecios M. Impact of childbirth Post-traumatic stress disorder on the Mother-Infant Bond: a systematic review. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2026 Feb 15;1–22. doi:10.1080/13548506.2026.2628980
  8. Rehberg F, Rihm L, Göbel A, Thiel F, Büechl VCS, Even M, et al. Perinatal PTSD and the mother-infant bond: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2025 Aug;114:103050. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103050
  9. World Health Organization. (2022). WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  10. Hendrix YMGA, Van Pampus MG, Hofman A, Henrichs J, Van Der Horst HE, De Jongh A. Treatment of traumatic birth experience with postpartum early eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy: a randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025 Dec;233(6):654.e1-654.e25. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2025.07.051
  11. Middleton, L. (2026), Understanding Healing From Psychological Birth Trauma: A Lived Experience Perspective. J Midwifery Womens Health., 71: 70-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.70052
  12. World Health Organization. (2022). WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience. Geneva: World Health Organization

Birth is a life-changing moment; to some, it is exciting and hopeful, like fulfilment; while for others, giving birth may be terrifying or daunting or even traumatic. Birth trauma is when a woman may feel psychologically or emotionally distressed due to her childbirth experience, which she considers threatening, scary, or overwhelming. It might happen after an unplanned emergency caesarean section, or protracted/complicated labour, acute pain, post-natal complications such as obstetric haemorrhage or assisted reproductive delivery of the newborn, supplemented by severe maternal complications during birth or medical interventions and even induced separation from their baby. Importantly, birth trauma is subjective, and a medically uncomplicated birth may be experienced as traumatic by the mother. Some of the emotional impacts following a traumatic birth include: fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, helplessness and loss of control, as well as lower self-esteem and difficulty adjusting to motherhood. In some women, these symptoms become prolonged and can develop into post-traumatic stress, depression or an anxiety disorder. Birth trauma may affect outcomes related to breastfeeding, maternal–infant bonding, subsequent pregnancy plans, and a woman's relationship with healthcare services.

Keywords : Birth Trauma, Emotional Recovery, Nursing Intervention.

Paper Submission Last Date
30 - September - 2026

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