ABSTRACT
In this chapter traumatic childbirth and its ever-widening ripple effects are described. First what women perceive as a traumatic birth is explored in addition to prevalence rates of traumatic childbirth. This is followed by birth trauma’s negative ripple effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder, breastfeeding difficulties, the anniversary of birth trauma, and panic filled subsequent childbirth. One positive ripple effect for mothers is discussed, that being, posttraumatic growth. Next in this chapter the negative ripple effect of secondary traumatic stress in obstetrical clinicians is focused on followed by a section on the positive ripple effect of vicarious posttraumatic growth. The chapter concludes with sections on the treatment of PTSD due to childbirth and implications for clinical practice.
