Maybe months or even years have passed since the birth, but something about the experience still bothers you.
You may still think about what happened, feel anxious around medical appointments, become upset when someone mentions your delivery, or feel afraid about becoming pregnant again.
And you may be wondering, “Shouldn’t I be over this by now?”
No. There is no expiration date on asking for help.
Why Can a Birth Experience Still Affect You Months Later?
A difficult birth can leave you with emotions that do not simply disappear because time has passed.
You may have felt frightened, powerless, ignored, or unsafe during labor or delivery. You may have experienced an emergency procedure, unexpected complication, or medical situation that you were not prepared for.
Afterward, everyone may have focused on the baby while you were expected to move forward.
But internally, you may still feel stuck.
If the experience continues affecting your emotional well-being, trauma recovery therapy can provide an opportunity to explore what you are carrying.
Call us (858) 289-0671 or Book your free 15-minute consultation.
“I Should Have Asked for Help Earlier”
This thought can stop people from reaching out.
You may feel embarrassed because you waited. You may think your therapist will ask why you did not come sooner.
But needing support today is what matters.
You do not need to explain why you waited. You can simply explain what is happening now.
Perhaps you are considering another pregnancy. Perhaps your anxiety has increased. Perhaps you recently realized that your birth experience affected you more deeply than you understood at the time.
Those are valid reasons to start a conversation.
Call us (858) 289-0671 or Book your free 15-minute consultation.
How Karem Smith Can Help You Explore What Is Still Hurting
Karem Smith, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and EMDRIA-Certified clinician at EMDR Healing Therapy. Her practice includes specialized training in Perinatal Mental Health and trauma-focused care.
Her approach is personalized to the individual rather than assuming every person needs the same type of therapy.
That can be particularly important when you have been carrying a difficult birth experience for a long time and are unsure where to begin.
Could EMDR Be Part of Your Treatment?
If your birth experience continues to trigger strong emotional or physical reactions, you may want to ask about EMDR therapy.
EMDR is one approach that may be considered when trauma is part of the picture. Your therapist can discuss whether it is appropriate for your situation rather than assuming it is the right treatment for everyone.
You can also explore perinatal and postpartum support if your birth experience is connected with current parenting, postpartum, or emotional challenges.
Call us (858) 289-0671 or Book your free 15-minute consultation.
It Is Not Too Late to Start
If you are in San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Poway, or a nearby community, you do not have to keep telling yourself that you should have moved on.
Maybe you are ready to understand why the experience still affects you.
Maybe you want to feel safer thinking about another pregnancy.
Maybe you simply want to stop carrying the memory alone.
You are allowed to ask for help now, regardless of how much time has passed.
EMDR Healing Therapy offers a free 15-minute consultation where you can talk about what you are experiencing and decide whether therapy may be a useful next step.
Call us (858) 289-0671 or Book your free 15-minute consultation.
