What Is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma refers to the distress a woman may experience during or after childbirth. This can stem from physical injury, emotional shock, medical intervention, feeling unheard during labour, or when the birth experience doesn’t go as planned. It’s more common than many people realise and it’s valid, no matter how your birth unfolded.
At The Night Owl, we speak to many mums who’ve experienced birth trauma. Some had emergency caesareans. Others had long labours, unexpected outcomes, or felt dismissed by healthcare providers. Some had what looked like a "textbook birth" but were left shaken by how it felt.
The Signs and Symptoms of Birth Trauma
Birth trauma can show up differently for everyone. Common signs include:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Feeling anxious, numb, or disconnected from your baby
- Avoiding anything related to birth or hospitals
- Difficulty breastfeeding or bonding
- A sense of failure, guilt, or anger
- Physical pain that triggers emotional responses
If you’re nodding along to any of this, you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.
Birth Trauma and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding after birth trauma can be complex. Some mums feel empowered by it, using it as a way to reconnect and heal. For others, feeding, especially when it involves pain, pressure, or unmet expectations, can be a triggering experience.
That’s why we created The Night Owl Wearable Breast Pumps. Our hands-free, quiet design lets mums feed or express in a way that feels more in control, private, and gentle. Whether you’re breastfeeding, mixed feeding, or exclusively pumping, your feeding journey deserves to feel safe and supported.
You Deserve Support, Here’s Where to Start
If you suspect you’ve experienced birth trauma, help is available. You don’t need to “just get over it” or feel grateful things weren’t worse. Your story matters.
Here are some resources that might help:
-
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) – 1300 726 306
-
COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) – cope.org.au
-
Birth Trauma Australia – birthtrauma.org.au
-
Your GP or midwife – Ask for a mental health care plan or trauma-informed counselling referral
You can also speak to a lactation consultant or breastfeeding counsellor who understands the link between trauma and feeding.
Let’s Talk About It
One of the biggest barriers to healing is silence. If your birth was traumatic, it doesn’t make you ungrateful or weak. It makes you human. Talking about it, whether with a friend, a professional, or through a safe online community can be the first step towards healing.
At The Night Owl, we’re not just here to sell breast pumps. We’re here to walk alongside you during one of the most transformative, vulnerable, and powerful times of your life.
You deserve calm, comfort, and care no matter how your baby entered the world.
