Doula Philippa Scott on Birth Trauma, Healing & Positive Births on Doulas Uncensored Podcast

Mother of four, Philippa Scott, dives deep into birth trauma and its impact on pregnancy, birth, and beyond on the Doulas Uncensored Podcast. She shares her journey as a birth advocate and Doula, discussing how trauma can manifest and how to heal with techniques like TRTP (The Richards Trauma Process Therapy). Listen for insights on creating a positive birthing experience and empowering yourself (and your partner!) for a brighter future. Episode also mentions recommended books like "The Body Keeps the Score" and "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth."

In this powerful and personal essay, trauma therapist Philippa shares her experience of witnessing her neurodivergent daughter's silent struggle in a medical setting. She unveils the pervasive myth of "Absence of No Is Not Yes" in maternity care, highlighting the importance of affirmative consent and the need to honour individual communication styles. Through her own story and expertise, Philippa calls for a transformation in how we approach childbirth, empowering women to advocate for themselves and find healing through specialised therapy.

Childbirth is a natural process that can be intimidating for some women, and fear of birth can have negative effects on the mother and baby. Fear of birth affects around 14% of pregnant women and can be caused by previous traumatic experiences, cultural beliefs, or a lack of support and information. To overcome fear of birth, women can educate themselves about the birthing process, find a supportive care provider, create a birth plan, practice relaxation techniques, and consider therapy if necessary. It's important to remember that every birth experience is unique, and with the right support, women can overcome their fear and have a positive birth experience.