The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Birth trauma is the dark and sometimes scary side of pregnancy & postpartum that no one wants to talk about. But, we're here to change that! I'm Kayleigh, a licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor, determined to bring birth trauma out of the shadows and into the light. When we talk about birth trauma, we take away its power and leave space for healing. Your birth trauma does not need to “happen for a reason." Birth trauma sucks and it’s okay to admit that. Join us as we navigate what it means to heal from birth trauma. You’ll hear from experts in the field as well as others who have experienced birth trauma. Storytelling and education are keys to raising awareness and better understanding how we heal trauma. We don’t do toxic positivity in this space, but you’ll definitely hear some dark humor. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry, but, most importantly, you’ll learn that you’re not alone and that healing is possible. Birth trauma is bullish*it, but your healing is not.
The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Ep. 163: Not Ungrateful, Just Traumatized
In this Mini Series episode, I dive into a nuanced conversation around gratitude practices for perinatal trauma survivors. While gratitude can be a powerful tool for healing, it often becomes complicated when paired with the experiences of trauma, grief, and loss.
Whether you’ve felt pressure to “just be grateful” or are searching for ways to reconnect with yourself and your story, this episode offers validation and actionable insight.
🔑 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
- The challenges of embracing gratitude after birth trauma
- Why traditional gratitude practices can feel dismissive for survivors
- How to reframe gratitude to honor your trauma and truth
- Making space for both/and: joy, pain, grief, and healing
- Giving yourself permission to feel your full experience
📲 Connect & Learn More:
- Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @thebirthtraumamama
- Join the community at thebirthtraumamama.com
- Explore resources for birth trauma survivors and trauma-informed care
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend or leave a review to help others find this supportive space. 💜
Pugach CP, May CL, Wisco BE. Positive emotion in posttraumatic stress disorder: A global or context-specific problem? J Trauma Stress. 2023 Apr;36(2):444-456. doi: 10.1002/jts.22928. Epub 2023 Mar 29. PMID: 36987701; PMCID: PMC10101918.
Korem N, Duek O, Ben-Zion Z, Kaczkurkin AN, Lissek S, Orederu T, Schiller D, Harpaz-Rotem I, Levy I. Emotional numbing in PTSD is associated with lower amygdala reactivity to pain. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2022 Oct;47(11):1913-1921. doi: 10.1038/s41386-022-01405-2. Epub 2022 Aug 9. PMID: 35945274; PMCID: PMC9485255.
Litz BT, Litz BT, Gray MJ. Emotional Numbing in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current and Future Research Directions. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2002;36(2):198-204. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.01002.x
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.