Birth Trauma Therapy
For ADULTS In Ohio and Michigan (virtually) - including Columbus, Ohio
**Karen Weiman Is One of The Few Therapist Certified in Perinatal Mental Health In The States Of Ohio And Michigan (And Was The 1st Certified In Ohio)**
You were waiting for that day for what seemed like forever. Then, the day finally comes and all plans went completely out the window.
Your entire world turned upside down in a matter of minutes, hours, or days.
It was far from what you expected.
What should have been joy and excitement, is NOT (to say it lightly).
Now, you are struggling with frequent thoughts of what happened or what went wrong, or the opposite, you are trying to avoid thinking about your experience at all costs, and to no avail.
You envisioned a normal pregnancy and birth, pictured yourself rockin’ this parenting role, happily. Instead, you are pre-occupied, on-edge, and not feeling anything like yourself.
You are used to excelling at life, doing things well, which makes this especially hard.
And you tell everyone you are fine and that things are good. But, let’s be real, things are not fine!
You Want…
…TO STOP WORRYING AND CRYING. You want to be at peace, cherishing the little moments.
You want to be able to think clearly, to genuinely laugh, to see the funny side of life.
You want to simply relax into your new role…and be happy at the same time.
You want to be able to sleep and feel like you are safe and the baby is safe.
You want to feel in control.
You want to feel like you are doing a good job.
And you want to quiet your inner critic so you can feel more excited about all the good things in your life right now.
If you are feeling this way, if your birth didn’t go as planned, if there was a medical emergency or complication, or if you felt afraid, helpless, powerless, or overlooked, you could be experiencing birth trauma.
This can be extremely hard to cope with, especially on top of all demands of having a newborn at home. This can cause great sadness, worry, and fits of anger.
Postpartum or perinatal trauma or PTSD is temporary and very treatable with professional help.
Some women don’t tell anyone about their symptoms, out of shame, guilt, or just wishing it would disappear.
And many suffer much longer than necessary because they put off treatment…while worry, fear, and sadness get worse.
With birth trauma and perinatal PTSD, the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will feel better.
I can Help you feel better
I have specialized intensive training in Trauma, PTSD, EMDR and am Certified in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMH-C). I have worked alongside many parents as they have processed difficult situations through therapy, or while working in numerous healthcare settings such as pediatrician offices, the NICU, Emergency Departments, Labor and Delivery floors, and inpatient and ICU departments of major hospitals.
Perinatal trauma is not the same as treating other forms of trauma and abuse. It is important to find a professional who is aware of these differences in order to best help you recover.
I will walk you through each step.
You don’t have to do this alone.
We will talk, laugh.
I will listen.
I will tell you what works.
We will strategize treatment and work with your needs. In the end, you will feel more like your old self, or even better.
And you will stop beating yourself up and start enjoying your life!
AND…You can get help from the comfort of your own home and (if appropriate) while caring for your baby.
On Challenging days, remember…
It will not always feel this way.
It was not your fault. You are not to blame.
You matter. Your voice matters.
Do not believe that everyone else is doing this parenting thing better than you. It is not true. Everyone is also winging it and truly doing the best they can.
Believe in yourself. Solid advice from trusted sources can be validating and helpful. But trust your gut. You are capable of making good decisions, and if something doesn’t work, try something else.
Parents learn to be good parents by trial and error, by learning from mistakes and getting through the day-to-day demands, by adjusting expectations.
You have permission to not be perfect. Letting go of some of your expectations will actually help you feel more in control.
It is not selfish to practice self-care. You need to be healthy to best care for those around you.
You are doing a good job.
You are enough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are some symptoms of Perinatal Trauma?
Overwhelming emotional and physical distress
Replaying events of the day in your mind, and feeling as if you are reliving them
Nightmares
Avoidance of factors that remind you of the birthing experience (thoughts associated with trauma, people, places, dates)
Outbursts of anger
Difficulty caring for or bonding with your newborn
Feeling like a failure
Feeling distracted/unattached to reality at times
Persistent state of hyper-arousal
Flashbacks
Can traumatic birth cause anxiety?
Yes! Parents who experience a traumatic birth often have their anxiety symptoms show up in ways like:
Unable to be away from baby for too long without extreme worry
Panic attacks or anxiety symptoms when reminded of the event
Worrying that baby was harmed or traumatized during the birth
Intrusive thoughts that something will happen to baby or you
Fear that it will happen again if you get pregnant again
Determination to never feel helpless or unheard again (leading to extreme independence and refusal to rely on anyone for support)
Can traumatic birth cause depression?
To the same point as above, a traumatic birth experience can cause depression. This might look like:
Crying, trouble concentrating, difficulty finding joy in life
Not having energy or motivation to care for baby
Sadness over not feeling a bond to baby
Feeling unworthy or helpless
Feeling as if you are to blame for how the birth went
Unexpected crying without notice
Why do you need therapy after birth trauma?
Therapy after a negative birth experience helps you and your babies. A healthy parent raises healthy babies. Birth trauma therapy will help you understand how the experience affected you and help reduce the memory’s power. You will learn skills to ease the distress. Therapy will give you the opportunity to improve your relationship with yourself, your baby, and your partner.
**Anyone can develop perinatal mood disorders during pregnancy or after having a baby. It is very common and doesn’t mean you are a bad parent. You and your baby don’t have to suffer in silence. There is help. I can help you.
