Austin Birth Trauma Therapy: Postpartum PTSD & Healing Support
Your birth didn't go as planned, and you're still struggling with the emotional aftermath. Get compassionate, trauma-informed therapy from a psychologist who specializes in birth trauma and PTSD.
500+
Mothers Helped
Trauma
Specialist
100%
Confidential
Dr. Jana Rundle, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Birth Trauma Specialist
Understanding Birth Trauma
Birth trauma occurs when a mother's birth experience is overwhelmingly distressing, leaving her with psychological wounds that don't heal on their own. Approximately 30% of women describe their birth as traumatic, and 4-5% develop full birth-related PTSD. If you're experiencing ongoing distress from your birth experience, you deserve support and healing.
Common Experiences That Can Cause Birth Trauma
Medical Emergencies
- •Emergency C-section after long labor
- •Severe complications during delivery
- •Baby or mother in medical distress
- •NICU admission or separation from baby
Loss of Control & Agency
- •Lack of informed consent for procedures
- •Feeling dismissed or unheard by medical staff
- •Birth very different from birth plan
- •Feeling powerless during birth
Signs You May Have Birth Trauma or Birth-Related PTSD
- →Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares about the birth
- →Avoiding anything that reminds you of the birth (hospitals, baby showers, pregnancy conversations)
- →Difficulty bonding with your baby
- →Intense fear about future pregnancies
- →Feeling numb, disconnected, or detached
- →Hypervigilance or being constantly on edge
- →Anger, irritability, or emotional outbursts
Trauma-Informed Treatment for Birth Trauma
Trauma Processing
We use evidence-based trauma processing techniques to help your brain integrate the traumatic birth memory so it no longer triggers intense distress. Through careful, supported work, the memory loses its emotional charge. Most clients see significant improvement within 6-12 sessions.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for trauma helps you process the birth experience, challenge unhelpful beliefs ("I should have known," "I failed"), and develop coping strategies for triggers and difficult emotions.
Somatic Approaches
Birth trauma is stored in the body. We use somatic techniques to help you release physical tension, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with your body in a safe, empowering way.
What to Expect in Birth Trauma Therapy
Safety & Stabilization
We begin by establishing safety, teaching grounding techniques, and ensuring you feel secure before processing the traumatic memory. You're always in control of the pace.
Processing the Trauma
Using trauma-focused CBT and somatic approaches, we work through the birth memory in a structured, supported way. You'll revisit the experience, but in a therapeutic context where healing can occur.
Integration & Growth
As the trauma loses its emotional charge, we focus on reconnecting with your baby, rebuilding trust in your body, and preparing for future milestones (like subsequent pregnancies if desired).
Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Trauma Therapy
What qualifies as birth trauma?
Birth trauma can result from any birth experience that felt frightening, overwhelming, or out of control. This includes emergency C-sections, long labors, medical complications, lack of informed consent, feeling dismissed by medical staff, NICU stays, or births where you or your baby were in danger. Birth trauma is about your subjective experience—if the birth felt traumatic to you, it was traumatic, regardless of the outcome.
Can I have birth trauma even if my baby is healthy?
Absolutely. Birth trauma is about your experience during birth, not just the outcome. Many mothers feel guilty seeking help because their baby is healthy, but your emotional wellbeing matters too. You can be grateful your baby is safe while also processing your own traumatic experience. These feelings can coexist.
What are the signs of birth-related PTSD?
Birth-related PTSD symptoms include intrusive memories or flashbacks of the birth, nightmares, avoidance of reminders (hospitals, medical shows, pregnancy conversations), hypervigilance, difficulty bonding with baby, feeling numb or detached, irritability, trouble sleeping, and physical reactions when reminded of the birth. If these symptoms persist more than a month after birth, professional help is recommended.
How does trauma therapy help with birth trauma?
Trauma-focused therapy helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories in a safe, supported environment. Using evidence-based approaches like trauma-focused CBT and somatic techniques, we work through the birth experience to help your nervous system regulate and the memory lose its emotional charge. Most clients see significant improvement within 6-12 sessions, feeling less triggered and more at peace with their birth story.
Is it too late to get help if my birth was years ago?
It's never too late to process birth trauma. Many mothers don't realize their symptoms are from birth trauma until years later, especially if planning another pregnancy brings up unresolved feelings. Trauma therapy can be effective regardless of how much time has passed. Dr. Rundle has helped mothers process birth trauma from births that occurred months to years ago.
Your Birth Doesn't Have to Define Your Motherhood
Birth trauma is real, and healing is possible. With trauma-informed therapy, you can process what happened, reduce distress, and move forward with confidence. You deserve to feel at peace with your birth story.
Questions? Call us at (512) 898-9510
Or email info@bloompsychologynorthaustin.com