In honour of Birth Trauma Awareness Week, Mother&Baby interviews Anna Williamson, Birth Trauma Awareness Week celebrity ambassador and TV presenter. She opens up about her traumatic birth experience, which left her with maternal mental health issues such as postnatal PTSD and postpartum depression.
Recent research reveals that two in five women undergo medical procedures during labour without proper consent. The Birth Trauma Awareness Week survey, which involved over 1500 women, found that over 42 per cent had procedures performed without their clear permission, including vaginal exams and episiotomies.
“We need to improve education for mothers and their birthing partners during the antenatal phase, so they are better prepared to make informed decisions, even in overwhelming situations,” says Anna Williamson.
“The focus of Birth Trauma Awareness Week is on informed consent. It’s crucial that mothers and their partners understand their options in advance. This way, if a mother is too exhausted to consent during labour, her partner can make informed decisions based on prior knowledge.”
In this interview, Anna shares her own traumatic birth story and explains why improving consent practices and education for expectant mothers and their birthing partners is important.
Can you share your traumatic birth experience and how it affected you physically and emotionally?
“Birth trauma is essentially PTSD and is something we should never, ever trivialise or sweep under the carpet (or eyeroll at). Birth trauma changed my life, and it is something that has absolutely changed me as a person. To face death, essentially, whilst giving birth, changes your outlook on life.
I had a very traumatic birth. A 40-hour labour, haemorrhage, forceps delivery, and an epidural resulted in a high block on epidural (which meant my breathing was affected in the final stages of birth when my baby came out). I was in and out of consciousness and I don’t really remember much of that experience. I felt really robbed of my birth. I felt like my body had let me down and that I didn’t fully understand what had happened. I felt like I’d been on the butcher’s block.
Despite this, I am deeply grateful to the medical team for safely delivering my baby and saving my life. During labour, I wasn’t in a state to give informed consent for a caesarean or forceps delivery. I knew the birth team needed my consent. I understand as well that we absolutely have to caveat that in emergency situations there’s not exactly heaps of time to explain to someone exactly what a procedure is. So that’s where I think we need that education to be robust in the earlier phases of pregnancy.
Afterwards, I was left deeply traumatised. I felt disconnected, terrified of my baby and everyone around me, and didn’t want to be alone. I experienced hallucinations and intrusive thoughts and struggled to care for myself and my baby. I didn’t know how or whom to ask for help and feared being judged as a bad mother. I knew how much I wanted my baby, but I was very unwell.”
How did postnatal PTSD and postpartum depression following your first birth affect your daily life?
"I wasn’t sleeping or eating, and I felt increasingly desperate and overwhelmed. My husband was doing his best but wasn’t sure how to support me effectively. The birth trauma I experienced blocked all the natural mood boosting hormones, like oxytocin, that help with breastfeeding. This made it difficult for me to produce milk and to eat properly. My husband even tried to get me to drink protein shakes to help. The entire situation was terrifying and felt like we were in a crisis. I often compare it to the scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom where Indiana Jones is poisoned and plunged into a nightmarish place. That’s exactly how it felt."
How did you manage to cope and recover from the effects of birth trauma?
“I managed to cope and recover with the loving support of my husband, family, and medical professionals. Working in the mental health arena, I recognised that I was in a tough spot. Nine days postpartum, I reached out to a psychiatrist friend who had previously helped me with generalised anxiety disorder. He quickly identified that my anxiety was worsening due to birth trauma and provided the psychological and medical support I needed to start recovering.
I understand that this level of support is a privilege, which is why I’m passionate about raising awareness. I had to make difficult choices, including stopping breastfeeding because the medication I was prescribed wasn’t compatible with it. This decision was necessary as the trauma had already affected my milk production. As soon as I began the medication, I started to feel better and was able to bond with my son.
It took about 18 months to start feeling like myself again, and I achieved full recovery only after the birth of my second child three years later. We planned a C-section to avoid the traumatic experience of my first birth. The C-section was calm and controlled, and I bonded instantly with my daughter, who helped me regain my confidence as a mother. My first child, who endured the trauma with me, is my ‘warrior baby.’ Both children are equally cherished, and each experience has shaped me profoundly. This is why I advocate for Birth Trauma Awareness, particularly this week, to help others understand and prevent the trauma many women face.”
What are some common misconceptions about birth trauma?
"One would be that a mother is being overdramatic about their experience. It’s the grouping everyone together aspect, 'all women go through it when they give birth', 'no birth is easy' that exacerbates it. Every birth is unique, and every birth is different. So, I think trivialising birth trauma is very damaging, which is why raising awareness about it is so important.
Suicide is the number one direct killer of new mothers (between six weeks and 12 months after birth), and so you can see, birth trauma is not trivial.
I understand why some women who experience traumatic births might feel unsupported and hesitant to speak out or seek help. It's crucial to talk about your experience to process it; otherwise, you risk suffering in silence. These feelings can become overwhelming. I’ve been there and know how it can make you feel like not being here might be easier than living with the daily pain of birth trauma. It’s vital to take birth trauma seriously, as it can be life-threatening if left undiagnosed and unsupported."
How can partners and loved ones support someone experiencing birth trauma?
“Listen, don’t dismiss their feelings or keep saying ‘but at least you have a healthy baby.’ We know we have a healthy baby and are grateful, but comments like that can increase feelings of guilt and shame, making it harder to speak up. Instead, offer practical help and support. Be kind and patient, assist them in finding support services, and be a constant, reassuring presence throughout their recovery journey.”
What message would you like to share with birthing women and their partners during Birth Trauma Awareness Week?
“I want people to understand that birth trauma is real and affects thousands of women each year. Many cases can be prevented with better education. We need to focus on informed consent so that women don’t feel violated, confused, or deprived of their choices.
Even though childbirth is common, it is often trivialised, which can silence those who have had traumatic experiences. Every birth is unique and life-changing, and we must recognise the significance of each individual’s experience. It’s important to listen to women and their partners, and provide them with the support and clarity they need to recover.”
If you think you are suffering from birth trauma, know that you are not alone and help is available. The NHS website offers mental health resources and local support services. You can also seek support through postnatal groups like Postpartum Support International and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. Consider reaching out to a licensed therapist specialising in birth trauma or PTSD, and use confidential helplines such as the Samaritans (116 123) for immediate emotional support. Additionally, online forums like Mother&Baby's #MumTribeprovides communities for shared experiences and coping strategies.
About the author
Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is mum to a one-year-old bambino and lives between Italy and the UK.