ABSTRACT
W OMEN WHO TALK TO ME about a traumatic birth usually do notfocus on the baby. They feel the need to talk about themselves. When I ask about the baby, they say something like, ‘The baby’s fine – but what about me?’ or ‘It’s me I’m worried about.’ This seems often to be the one opportunity to focus on their needs instead of acting the part of the good mother and devoting all their attention to the baby.
