Content warning: On this episode of TKS, we will be discussing a very heavy topic, birth trauma. This topic can be triggering for some. We know birth and trauma are very personal experiences, but we hope our guest can help us understand more about this topic. Please listen with an open heart, but also take the space you may need.

When we think of a traumatic birth, the worst case scenarios often come to mind: a stillborn child or maternal demise. However it emcompasses so much more because trauma is subjective. Underlying themes of birth trauma include a lack of caring from a lack of communication, and birthing parents feeling stripped of their dignity. A birth is said to be traumatic when the individual (parent or other witness) believes the birthing person’s or her baby’s life was in danger, or that a serious threat to the birthing person’s or baby’s physical or emotional integrity existed. 25-34% of women report their birth as traumatic (source: Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth organization). We are excited to have our guest Ann Tropea, join us for this conversation today! A little more about her:   Ann is a certified birth doula and has supported births in Jerusalem, Vietnam, and the D.C. Metro area. She is also a practicing attorney and a writer, and has experience working through birth trauma with clients in her role as a doula, and as an attorney representing clients in medical malpractices actions. Ann holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and graduated magna cum laude in mass media communication studies from New York University. Ann currently lives in Baltimore with her husband Joe Tropea, two children Julian and Lucy, and dog Geof.  

Resources:

• Ann’s website: https://www.mommytreedoula.com/

• Ann IG: https://www.instagram.com/mommytreedoula/

• Ann FB: https://www.facebook.com/mommytreedoula/

• Ann email: info@mommytreedoula.com

• Birth Monopoly

• Evidence Based Birth

• Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth 

• https://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Informed-Choice/informed-consent-in-childbirth-making-rights-into-reality.html