Understanding Trauma and Memories: A Guide for Pregnant Women
This blog post was compiled by Dr. Jan Ooi based on a lecture presented to the staff of the Labour & Delivery, and Postpartum Units at the Foothills Medical Centre on October 27th, 2023. The presentation was entitled Trauma-Informed Care: A Peripartum Perspective. The presenters were:
Dr. Christine Gibson, a Family Physician well-known as the @tiktoktraumadoc, and the author of The Modern Trauma Toolkit: Nurture Your Post-Traumatic Growth with Personalized Solutions.
Dr. Siew-Wan Tan, a Calgary Family Physician who practices low risk obstetrics and women’s mental health.
As you prepare for childbirth, it can help to understand how trauma can influence your experience and memories during labor. Knowledge about the neurophysiology of trauma can empower you to navigate this journey with confidence.
MEMORY FORMATION AND TRAUMA
Our brains are wired to protect us, constantly scanning our environment for threats. This protective mechanism involves two key areas:
Hippocampus: This part stores explicit memories—narratives we can recount without emotional attachment.
Amygdala: This area holds implicit memories, associating emotions and physical sensations with past experiences. Think of the amygdala as your brain’s fire detector, activating a fight, flight, or freeze response when it senses danger.
HOW TRAUMATIC MEMORIES ARE FORMED
Traumatic memories often follow the mnemonic EMLI:
Event: A significant occurrence that impacts you.
Meaning: The event feels life-threatening or challenges your sense of safety.
Landscape: Your perception of yourself and your environment plays a role, shaped by past experiences and current stress.
Inescapable: You feel powerless to escape the situation.
Understanding these aspects can help you recognize how trauma might influence your birth experience.
RECOGNIZING TRIGGERS DURING CHILDBIRTH
Triggers are stimuli that can provoke an intense emotional or physical response. In labor, various factors—such as feeling exposed, experiencing pain, or uncertainty—can trigger these responses, often rooted in a sense of losing control.
For instance, you might find yourself feeling disconnected or anxious. You might say, “I don’t care what happens,” as a protective mechanism, or become overwhelmed by the need to control every aspect of your labor. Recognizing these feelings can help you and your support team respond with empathy.
LAYING DOWN MEMORIES IN CHILDBIRTH
While triggers can lead to distress, not all memories of childbirth are negative. Factors influencing your memories include:
Natural Pain Relief: Endorphins can create feelings of euphoria, softening the memory of pain.
Time and Perspective: Memories can shift over time, often leading to a less vivid recollection of pain.
Pain Perception: Everyone experiences pain differently, influencing how you remember labor.
Interestingly, trauma responses can also shape positive memories. You may find that:
Dissociation: You mentally disconnect from intense pain, making it less vivid in memory.
Selective Memory: Joyful moments, like meeting your baby, may overshadow distressing experiences.
Post-Traumatic Growth: Overcoming labor can lead to a profound sense of accomplishment and empowerment.
A STRATEGY TO LESSEN NEGATIVE MEMORY FORMATION
To cultivate a more positive experience, consider focusing on "glimmers"—those small, positive or neutral moments during labor that can counterbalance the intense sensations.
For example, even amidst strong pain signals, you can shift your attention to areas of your body that feel comfortable. Try to alternate your focus between painful and less painful sensations. This technique helps your nervous system regulate and may prevent the entire experience from being remembered as traumatic.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Understanding the connection between trauma and memory can provide you with tools to navigate childbirth more mindfully. By recognizing potential triggers and incorporating strategies to focus on positive experiences, you can foster a more empowering and joyful birthing journey. Remember, it’s okay to reach out for support—you're not alone in this experience.
