70. Birth trauma: How your story may be related to your physical symptoms with Teela Tomassetti

The Pelvic Floor Project

In this episode, I sit down with Registered Provisional Psychologist and PhD candidate who specializes in the area of birth trauma.
In this episode we discuss:

• How birth trauma may present itself in a pelvic health physiotherapy appointment
• The prevalence of birth trauma
• The subjective nature of birth trauma
• How trauma affects the nervous system, emotional and physical symptoms
• Partner trauma
• Various quotes that Teela has shared on her instagram account
• “we sell people on a Hollywood version of pregnancy and childbirth and then desert them when it doesn’t transpire”
• “ I don’t know who needs to hear this but mom brain might actually be birth trauma brain”
• “repeat after me. How my nervous system responded because of birth trauma doesn’t define me as a parent”
• “birth trauma is a whole body tragedy”
• “sex and intimacy after birth trauma can be a psychological minefield”
• “the 6 week checkup is failing birth trauma survivors”
• “birth trauma is not just about the birth but also the absence of support and understanding”

Teela Tomassetti is a Registered Provisional Psychologist and Doctoral Candidate in Alberta who specializes in the area of birth trauma. For almost two decades Teela has been a therapist supporting those who have been through domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and tragic losses. After suffering her own birth trauma by way of midwifery violence and an excessive hemorrhage almost taking her life during childbirth Teela decided to start the fast growing Instagram account @theteaonbirthtrauma. There she supports thousands of survivors in breaking the silence and shedding light on an area that research indicates impacts 1 in 3 birthing experiences.

Where to find Teela

Instagram

www.theteaonbirthtrauma.com

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