Breastfeeding After Birth Trauma with Erin Northrup
Keywords: birth trauma, breastfeeding, maternal health, postpartum care, lactation consultant, hospital policies, trauma recovery, maternal bonding, cesarean birth story, NICU birth story.
In this episode of the Resilient Birth Podcast, Justine and Sarah welcome Erin Northrup, an international board certified lactation consultant, to discuss the profound impact of birth trauma on breastfeeding and maternal mental health. Erin shares her personal experiences with birth trauma after a cesarean under general anesthesia and separation from her baby who was taken to the NICU, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of childbirth. The reason for her cesarean turned out, on further investigation after the birth, to be based on a misdiagnosis, confirming the suspicion she highlights in the episode. The conversation explores the importance of recognizing and addressing the emotional needs of mothers during and after birth, as well as the long-term effects of trauma on families. Erin advocates for better support systems and policies that honor the maternal bond and emotional wellbeing of birthing individuals. This conversation delves into the profound impact of birth trauma on breastfeeding experiences, particularly focusing on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by mothers. The speakers discuss the importance of listening to mothers' voices, the interconnectedness of birth experiences and breastfeeding, and the need for advocacy in healthcare. Erin shares her research findings, highlighting the overwhelming response from participants and the emotional weight of their stories of breastfeeding after birth trauma. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of recognizing the complexities of maternal health and the importance of support systems for new parents.
Takeaways
- The physical and emotional aspects of childbirth are inseparable.
- Many women feel dismissed when expressing emotional distress post-birth.
- Hospital policies can hinder maternal-infant bonding immediately after birth.
- The experience of separation from the baby can be traumatic.
- Maternal mental health is as important as physical health post-birth.
- Trauma can ripple through families and affect future generations.
- Trust in healthcare can be fractured by lack of listening.
- Mothers are experts in their own experiences.
- Birth trauma can echo in breastfeeding experiences.
- Hospital policies can hinder maternal care and support.
- Breastfeeding can serve as a reclamation of control.
- Research reveals the depth of shared trauma among mothers.
- Emotional pain from birth can resurface during breastfeeding.
Sound Bites
- "I need to feed my baby..."
- "I was absolutely panicked..."
- "Why is nobody listening?"
- "I was very determined to breastfeed."
- "Everything is connected."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Birth Trauma and Support
02:57 The Interconnectedness of Birth Experiences
05:55 Personal Story of Birth Trauma
08:54 The Impact of Hospital Policies on Birth Experiences
12:04 The Emotional Aftermath of Birth Trauma
15:08 The Long-Term Effects of Birth Trauma
17:47 Finding Strength Through Adversity
21:01 The Importance of Maternal Bonding
23:54 Reflection on Healing
25:58 The Fracture of Trust in Healthcare
28:48 The Impact of Birth Trauma on Maternal Experience
32:58 Research Insights on Birth Trauma and Breastfeeding
38:56 Navigating Personal Trauma Through Research
44:00 The Interconnectedness of Experience and Healing
On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.
Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.
Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.
Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.
Erin Northrup is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant dedicated to educating and
supporting families who wish to breastfeed after experiencing birth trauma. She has a BA in Psychology
and a Masters in Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) from the University of New Brunswick
where she conducted a qualitative study on the lived experience of breastfeeding after birth trauma.
Erinā€™s own journey with birth trauma began in 2009, when she experienced a traumatic birth with the
birth of her first child. Since then, she has been a vocal advocate for maternal infant health and a
compassionate supporter of parents through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.
One of Erin's key goals is to educate perinatal professionals about the impacts of birth trauma and the
importance of respectful, ethical lactation care. She believes that by raising awareness and sharing
evidence-based information, we can enhance the quality of care for families who have faced these
challenges. A mother of five wonderful children and a long time La Leche League Leader, Erin is a firm
believer in the necessity of trauma-informed care throughout the perinatal period, from preconception
to weaning.
Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals
