Postpartum PTSD: When Birth Becomes Trauma

About 4% of women develop PTSD after childbirth. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, we help mothers throughout Gwinnett County process traumatic birth experiences and move toward healing.

What Is Postpartum PTSD?

Postpartum PTSD develops when the delivery is experienced as traumatic—whether that's an emergency C-section, complications, injuries, fear for your or baby's life, or feeling powerless during delivery. Partners and healthcare workers who witnessed the trauma can also develop symptoms.

Symptoms

• Re-experiencing: Flashbacks to the delivery, nightmares, intrusive memories
• Avoidance: Avoiding hospitals, pregnancy discussions, medical settings
• Mood changes: Negative thoughts, guilt, difficulty bonding with baby
• Hyperarousal: Being easily startled, constantly on edge, sleep problems

Risk Factors

• Prior trauma or PTSD
• History of depression
• Fear of childbirth
• Pregnancy complications
• Emergency interventions during birth
• Feeling unheard or unsupported during delivery

Treatment Options

• Trauma-focused CBT
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Medication: SSRIs like sertraline are generally safe during breastfeeding

You're Not Alone

Many mothers feel guilty for struggling when they "should" be happy. But trauma is trauma—and birth trauma is real. Treatment can help you process the experience and enjoy motherhood.