A Doula POV: 5 Helpful Tips to Prevent/Minimize Pregnancy and Birth Trauma

By: Cheryl Chan
It is important to note that the below tips are based on my personal and professional experiences. Still, given the nature and unpredictability of birth, these tips do not mean that may not be eliminate in some cases. We hope that open communication and consistent discussion will help heal all parties involved in those cases.
1.) Educate Yourself.
There is no right or wrong way to give birth. Birth may not always go as planned, or it can go beyond one’s control in labor and birth.
Education is a powerful tool. It lets the mother (and family) know the options, risks, and possibilities during pregnancy and birth. Gathering this knowledge before birth will enable mothers to better prepare and finally decide the necessary steps with alternative options for unforeseen circumstances. Birth is an unpredictable event wherein no one can predict what will or won’t happen during pregnancy and birth. A mantra is “open hands, open heart, open mind.”
2.) Finding the Right Birth Team.
The right birth team is half of the success of birth, yet it is a personal one that only a mother (and partner) will have to decide on their own. A comfortable mother who feels secure with her team will feel empowered, and communication will flow better. Being honest with questions and feelings about certain parts of the birth that a health care provider or even “partner of choice” will ensure everyone is on the “same page” when it comes time.
3.) Prepare Physically and Mentally.
A birth can be an empowering and life-changing experience for a mother and her birth partner. Given all the above information and reassurances, a mother still needs to be in the best condition for birth. A few of the things* mothers can focus on are:
(a) Eating well
– Taking whole foods, even in small portions and at frequent intervals in the day, is highly recommended versus eating a heavy meal at one go. It makes digestion easier and ensures the body absorbs the food’s nutrients throughout the day. Also, the mother is less likely to feel sluggish and stuffed, thus avoiding possible acid reflux.
(b) Being active or taking up prenatal yoga or exercises*
There are many ways to keep active. Walking is one, and making sure you look into prenatal yoga is another that helps mothers through meditation and breathing – both helpful comfort measures when labor comes.
*advised and monitored by her health care provider
(c) Sleeping and resting enough
Once the baby is out, mothers will have to be ready to adjust to life with a newborn and slip in as much (or as little) sleep as they can throughout the day. Best to rack up as much rest and enjoy the few moments of respite.
4.) Identify possible triggers or “Acknowledge and Feel”
Mothers should take the time also to check if there are any possible past unresolved trauma (birth-related or otherwise) that could surface. This exercise can benefit everyone involved if disclosed and addressed early before the birth.
5.) Seek a mental health professional for support
For mothers who are more prone to anxiety, have a history of depression (past/present), or have had a challenging pregnancy/labor, it is best to seek professional help on the uncertainty. Talk to a midwife, doctor, or someone you trust (family or friends) at any stage for practical and emotional support. If, even with proper support, there is no clear solution, then maybe finding suitable coping mechanisms can still be helpful, with the possibility of reoccurrence. It can be through exercise and mindfulness activities.
Check the PATTCh resources page for more info.