Experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or complications during delivery, as can sometimes happen with fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), can feel overwhelming. If you had a traumatic birth or your baby was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you might find yourself struggling with triggers as you transition back to everyday life.
Know that you’re not alone in these feelings. A 2021 study found around 40% of parents with children admitted to the NICU report symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although healing may take time, there are many resources available to help you along the way.
Recognize your triggers
The first step in navigating trauma after birth is to understand your specific triggers. Although they vary from person to person, some triggers may include:
- Sounds: Hearing alarms, beeping monitors or babies crying can trigger your fight-or-flight response and cause you to be hypervigilant, even when you don’t need to be.
- Smells: Certain smells, such as antiseptics, soaps or alcohol swabs, can also remind you of your time in the hospital.
- Sights: If and when you need to visit a medical center down the line, seeing the sterile environment and medical equipment can be a powerful emotional trigger.
- Medical visits: When you attend follow-up visits, you may need to discuss certain aspects of the birthing experience. If you find this to be a trigger, you can try talking to your care team beforehand so they know to approach those topics with more caution.
Any of these can lead to flashbacks that cause you to relive the trauma, which can lead to anxiety and fear regarding your baby’s health. In many cases, these triggers can be unavoidable or unexpected. Therefore, working through these difficult memories rather than simply trying to avoid them is essential.
Read more about FNAIT treatment and care
Talk to a perinatal mental health specialist
A perinatal mental health specialist is someone who is trained in treating the psychological challenges that occur during and after pregnancy. These specialists recommend treatments that can take many different forms. One option is narrative therapy, which gives patients the opportunity to share their story and take control of it. Couples therapy can also be very helpful, allowing parents to process their trauma together.
In addition, psychiatrists may prescribe medications to reduce your symptoms, which can be a useful add-on to other forms of therapy. Note that this is not necessarily a cure and will not address the root cause of your triggers.
Consider group therapy and support groups
Many people may take comfort in knowing that they aren’t the only ones experiencing trauma after birth. Several birth trauma support groups exist, such as:
- Postpartum Support International Birth Trauma Support Group
- The Motherhood Center Birth Trauma Support Group
- Hand to Hold NICU Families Support Group
- The Birth Trauma Association Parent Support Group
Through these groups, you can talk with both professionals and other parents going through similar experiences while also receiving resources for navigating your trauma.
Explore your feelings through art
While you have the option to pursue formal art therapy, you can also create art from the comfort of your own home. Whether it’s painting, drawing or listening to music, engaging in art therapy is an established method for healing trauma.
Be patient with yourself
Although sifting through your emotions and working through your triggers can be healing, it may also be extremely difficult. Overcoming these emotions isn’t an overnight process. Being patient with yourself is one of the most important elements of recovery.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about FNAIT sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
