Healing After a Traumatic Birth: How EMDR Can Help Mothers Recover
For many women, childbirth is one of the most transformative moments of their lives. But for some, the experience can be deeply distressing—leaving emotional wounds that linger long after the baby is born. If your birth experience left you feeling anxious, on edge, or haunted by painful memories, you’re not alone. Research shows that up to 12% of mothers experience childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS), and 3–6% go on to develop full-blown childbirth-related PTSD (CB-PTSD). The good news? Healing is possible, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is proving to be a game-changer for many women.
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma isn’t just about medical emergencies or life-threatening situations. It can stem from feeling unheard, unsupported, or powerless during labor and delivery. Some women describe their birth as traumatic due to unexpected interventions, emergency C-sections, excessive pain, or even the way they were treated by medical professionals. The emotional impact can manifest in ways like flashbacks, nightmares, heightened anxiety, or avoiding places and conversations that bring back painful memories. For some, the idea of having another baby becomes terrifying.
How Can EMDR Help?
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps process traumatic memories and lessen their emotional charge. Originally developed for PTSD, EMDR has been increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for birth trauma. During EMDR, a trained therapist guides you through recalling distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation—like guided eye movements, tapping, or sound cues. This process helps rewire how the brain stores and interprets the traumatic memory, making it feel less overwhelming over time.
A recent study conducted at an Irish maternity hospital examined the effectiveness of EMDR for women suffering from CB-PTSS and CB-PTSD. The results were promising:
Over 60% of participants experienced significant symptom reduction after completing EMDR therapy.
Half of those who had PTSD no longer met the criteria for the disorder after EMDR.
The average number of sessions attended was 4.5, making EMDR a relatively short-term intervention with lasting benefits.
These findings reinforce what many therapists and mothers have already discovered—EMDR can provide real relief and healing after a traumatic birth.
Why This Matters for Maternal Mental Health
Ignoring birth trauma doesn’t make it go away. Unresolved emotional wounds can impact not just the mother but also the baby, partner, and overall family dynamic. Mothers struggling with CB-PTSS or CB-PTSD may have difficulty bonding with their baby, experience relationship strain, or face heightened anxiety in future pregnancies. Recognizing birth trauma as a legitimate mental health concern—and ensuring accessible, evidence-based treatment like EMDR—is crucial for improving postpartum care.
Advocating for Better Support
Despite the growing evidence supporting EMDR, many women still don’t receive adequate mental health support after a traumatic birth. Some are dismissed with phrases like “at least the baby is healthy,” while others struggle to find therapists trained in birth trauma recovery. This needs to change.
If you’ve experienced a traumatic birth, know that your feelings are valid and help is available. Seek out a perinatal mental health professional or an EMDR-trained therapist, like the ones here at Amber Sperling Social Work.
If you work in maternal healthcare, advocate for integrating trauma-informed care into postpartum support. Simple changes—like listening to mothers, offering debriefing sessions, and normalizing conversations around birth trauma—can make a big difference.
If you have a friend or loved one who has gone through a difficult birth, offer them a safe space to talk. Sometimes, feeling heard and understood is the first step toward healing.
Final Thoughts: Hope After Trauma
A traumatic birth doesn’t have to define your motherhood journey. Healing is possible, and EMDR is one of many paths that can help you reclaim peace, confidence, and joy. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Every mother deserves to feel safe, heard, and whole after birth.
If you’ve gone through EMDR for birth trauma, we’d love to hear your experience in the comments on EmpowHERed in Health—let’s break the silence and support each other in healing.
On our team Victoria, Karah and Amber all offer EMDR for your processing needs.
Thank you Jocelyn Gates RSW for this article.
Doherty, A., Nagle, U., Doyle, J., & Duffy, R. M. (2025). Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing for childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms: effectiveness, duration and completion. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 6, 1487799-. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1487799
