Birth Trauma Matters: Understanding PTSD, C-Section Trauma, and Postpartum Mental Health

A Birth Trauma Story

Last month, the podcast The Retrievals: Season 2 by Serial and The New York Times was released, and I. Was. Mesmerized. The series highlights the often-overlooked reality of birth trauma, with a focus on intraoperative pain during cesarean sections (C-sections). Did you know, the most frequently performed major surgery in the world are C-sections? Intraoperative pain is when a patient, feels pain from the C-section surgery despite having an epidural.

The series is grounded in the story of a labor and delivery nurse, pregnant with twins, who undergoes a C-section at the hospital where she works. Her epidural fails. She feels severe pain, the pain of being cut open as it is happening—leaving her, her husband, and the medical team deeply traumatized. It was difficult to hear her describe her experience and also so important. The following episodes explore how individuals and providers are working to change this, because as it turns out, intraoperative pain during cesarean birth is more common than most people realize.

My Own Cesarean Section Experience

This podcast brought up memories from the birth of my twin girls. While I did not experience intraoperative pain, I remember the nausea and drowsiness from anesthesia, the anxiety and fear I felt in the operating room, the overwhelming number of medical staff present and afterward being told it was a “routine procedure,” even though nothing about it felt routine for me—or for my husband.

Even when everything goes “medically well,” birth can still feel traumatic.

What Is Birth Trauma?

Birth trauma refers to any physical or emotional distress experienced during labor and delivery. Research shows that women describe their birth experience as more traumatic than their physicians do.

Birth trauma may contribute to:

• Difficulty bonding with the baby

• Loss of trust in medical providers

• Delays or reluctance in having more children

• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or OCD

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

And it’s important to remember: birth trauma impacts non-birthing partners too.

The Partner’s Experience of Trauma

After listening to this podcast, my husband and I reflected on our own experience for the first time in years. He admitted how terrifying it was for him—watching doctors perform major abdominal surgery, fearing for my life, and feeling helpless to intervene.

Partners often carry their own hidden trauma, which can shape the family’s early bonding and long-term well-being.

Hope and Change in Maternal Care

What I loved about this podcast was its focus on the strength and determination of women working for solutions for mothers. The attending anesthesiologist from the original story started a national dialogue at medical conferences about the frequent reality of intraoperative pain to spark innovation to address this problem. A former patient who experienced intraoperative C-section pain and birth trauma was featured as well. She then worked tirelessly for a decade to center patients and establish operating guidelines for anesthesiologists, nurses, and obstetricians—ensuring pain is taken seriously and addressed immediately.

These efforts represent meaningful progress toward safer, more compassionate maternity care, something that I care deeply about. After the birth of my girls, I considered pursuing a masters in public health. Ultimately I decided my passion was working directly with women and families impacted by this type of an experience. I believe that families with mothers who are supported are more successful, happier, and healthier.

Finding Support for Birth Trauma

If you or your partner experienced birth trauma, you are not alone—and healing is possible.

I am honored to support parents who carry trauma from childbirth. Reaching out to a mental health professional can help you process your experience, strengthen your bond with your child, and regain a sense of safety.

Central Texans can find additional resources and support with Nurtured TX.

Mothers and their partners all across America can find additional resources and support with Postpartum Support International.

For the full podcast series, visit The New York Times Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.