Hits Radio recently shone a spotlight on the issue of Birth Trauma by inviting reality star and author Louise Thompson and Dr Kim Thomas from the Birth Trauma Association to discuss Louise’s experience, hear from listeners and encouraging others to talk about their experience and seek support for themselves and their birthing partners.
It’s an issue that impacts up to 30,000 women every single year. Each case can be very different. Some reflect very long or very short labours, others are about physical issues while some are to do with thoughts and emotions. Some birth trauma can be about concerns for baby’s health, while others are about issues with the level of care on offer to mums at the time. Around one in 20 new mums will develop PTSD as a result of their experience, and around 1% of birth partners also develop issues as a result of what they’ve witnessed from a bedside.
In the podcast Dr Kim Thomas encourages people who’ve been affected to talk about it, and to give people ideas around how to listen to those who want to speak out.
Speaking to Louise, Dr Kim said: “It’s really important that you speak up, or that other people speak up for you.
“You’ve been through a really traumatic experience, you deserve to be heard, and you need to be gentle with yourself…I’d really urge people to get help if they can, because therapeutic help is the best way of getting through this.”
Dr Kim wrote the 2024 report of the parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma and is secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on birth trauma. She has written two books about birth trauma: Birth Trauma, a guide aimed at helping women experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after a difficult birth; and Postnatal PTSD: a Guide for Health Professionals.
To listen to the podcast, click here – Hits Radio Talks . . . Birth Trauma – Hits Radio Talks – Hits Radio
If you or someone you know is in need of support, please call our helpline on 0117 935 9366