1. Helping people traumatised by childbirth

2. Birth trauma association
Founded in 2004 and run entirely by volunteers, we are the only UK charity focused on the issue of birth trauma.
Our activities include:
Supporting women who have experienced a traumatic birth, as well as their partners and families
Campaigning to raise awareness of birth trauma
Working in partnership to prevent birth trauma

3. What is birth trauma?
Another name for the symptoms of postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD happens when someone has experienced or witnessed a trauma such as violence or sexual assault
Between 1.5% and 3% of women experience PTSD after birth (about 20,000 a year in the UK), while 30% report some symptoms
Any woman can experience birth trauma, but high risk factors include:
painful labour
high levels of intervention
loss of control and poor communication
medical emergencies

4. PTSD symptoms Avoiding reminders of the trauma
Negative mood, such as guilt or feeling withdrawn
Arousal – feeling deeply anxious and alert
Re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks and nightmares

5. Living with birth trauma
“I don’t feel as if I’ll ever be ok”
“I don't know who to turn to and don't feel like any health professional takes me seriously” – Sarah
“My experience postnatally has made me terrified when I hear of others who are about to give birth” – Debbie
“I have no doubt having the injury is what is preventing me from healing and greatly affects my PTSD” - Emily

6. How we support women
We run a closed Facebook support group with 4,500 members
The group is a safe space that enables women to share their experiences and offer mutual support
One of the few resources available to women with birth trauma – waiting lists for talking therapy are long
Some women have told us the group saved their life
We offer 1:1 online support to women via and Facebook messenger
Provide contact and referral details for professional mental health specialists

7. What ElSE Do WE DO?
Work with journalists on print and broadcast media to publicise birth trauma
Create awareness-raising events to enhance the public understanding of birth trauma
Respond to national consultations on maternity services
Collaborate with other campaigners for better care
Participate in clinical research projects to prevent birth trauma

8. The future In the next year, we hope to offer:
Local face-to-face peer support groups run by volunteers
Telephone peer support

9. To find out more Our website: www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Facebook page: Association-UK /
Twitter: @BirthTrauma