ABSTRACT
Survivors of reproductive trauma often share how disconnected they feel from their own bodies after their experience. This chapter builds on the skills taught in Chapter 5, further educating the reader about why their body might be activated and easily triggered by certain situations. Structural changes to the brain can occur when a person experiences traumatic events and chronic stress. Yet, these changes can be reversed when practicing calming skills such as those taught in this chapter. Self-soothing and relaxing practices are introduced, and it is explained how the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) can be activated with these skills, which then calms the body. Trauma-informed meditation, slow breathing practices, yoga, and muscle relaxation practices are taught and their benefits are reviewed, drawing upon the most up-to-date research. Numerous examples are used to highlight how traumatic experiences during the reproductive period could impact heightened distress reactions, and alternatively, how self-soothing practices can be realistically modified and interwoven into a new parent's busy life. Activities with numerous empowering choices and modifications are introduced throughout for the reader to practice these skills.
