Birth Trauma

 

The March of Dimes defines birth trauma as any physical or emotional distress experienced during or after childbirth. This can include feelings of fear, helplessness, or lack of support during delivery, and guilt or numbness afterward due to events beyond your control. Panic attacks may also occur. If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 45% of new mothers face birth trauma, with effects often lingering long after childbirth.

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If the incidence of birth trauma is so high in Obstetrical experiences where women and their

partners bring a healthy baby home, one can only imagine the depth of trauma women

experience at the time of a stillbirth. While most healthcare providers would agree that a stillbirth experience can be considered traumatic, the resources in primary settings to assist women and their partners following this profound loss are very limited. Returning for the predictable six- week check-up can set the stage or trigger many emotional responses to the familiar environment and seeing the caregivers they had when their traumatic event occurred. 

 

Birth trauma in perinatal loss adds another layer of complicated grief when, in addition to experiencing the fear and loss of control when they learned their baby’s life was in jeopardy, these women give birth and leave hospital shortly after, many times in a state of shock and disbelief that the child they longed for, will never be held again. If professional help is recommended by the woman’s caregivers at discharge, she can begin a journey of healing and receive support during her postpartum period that doesn’t resemble, in any way, what she was expecting. Yes, a woman is still ‘postpartum’ even if she doesn’t have a living baby. 

 

Months later, if a couple begins to explore their feelings about another pregnancy, the traumatic memories of their loss can become a barrier to conceiving again. Then, when a new pregnancy is confirmed, there can be a flood of anxiety and intense fear of another loss. Many times, these fears are driven by unresolved trauma. Trauma-informed therapy, provided in a safe and non- medical environment, can be effective in preparing a woman and her partner for the inevitable anxiety that follows stillbirth or pregnancy loss at any stage.

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Counselling Fees

My counselling fees are not covered by OHIP although many have coverage through extended health benefits plans provided by their employers. As a therapist with designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW), many clients are eligible for reimbursement of fees. Benefits packages through companies such as Sun Life, Blue Cross, Great West Life Insurance and Greenshield Canada can provide coverage for counselling services. Please check your employee benefits package to determine your individual coverage.

Any counselling expenses not covered by third party insurance benefits can be claimed as medical expenses when you file your annual income tax return. As a Registered Social Worker, I am considered an authorized ‘medical practitioner’, allowing you to claim counselling fees as a medical expense.

Clients are not charged for telephone consultations prior to initial counselling sessions. The fee for a 60-75 minute counselling session is $135.00. Payments are generally made by etransfer to jgcounselling@rogers.com after each session. Formal receipts are provided.