Healing Hearts and Minds: EMDR for Pregnant Women

Healing Hearts and Minds: EMDR for Pregnant Women with a History of trauma, of Birth-Related Trauma or Pregnancy Loss

Introduction

Pregnancy, often celebrated as a time of joy and anticipation, can sometimes be clouded by painful memories of past birth-related trauma or pregnancy loss and by past personal experiences, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment etc. For women carrying these emotional burdens, hope and healing are essential. In this blog post, I want to explore the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a powerful tool for pregnant women with a history of such trauma. Let's delve into how EMDR can help reshape their pregnancy journey and foster emotional well-being.

1. Understanding Birth-Related Trauma and Pregnancy Loss

**Fact:** Birth-related trauma and pregnancy loss can have lasting emotional impacts.

As many as 1 in 5 women who have experienced a traumatic event develop the symptoms of PTSD during pregnancy. Women with PTSD may be more likely than women without it to have pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, low birthweight and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Unhealed or unaddressed trauma impacts how the baby grows and develops, including how the nervous system and brain develop. Men can also develop pregnancy related trauma. Witnessing what their partner goes through and feeling completely helpless has a huge impact and is understandably traumatic

Both women and men can have lasting effects of birth related trauma which in turn puts them both at a significantly higher risk of developing postpartum (postnatal for dads) mood and anxiety disorders. YES, Men can also get postpartum depression. Unresolved trauma also affects how parents’ bond with their new baby. Postpartum depression is the leading cause of pregnancy related complications. Postpartum depression is the leading cause of maternal mortality- 23% of pregnancy related deaths, including suicide, are related to a mental health crisis.

**Action Tip:** Acknowledge the emotional toll of these experiences, and don't hesitate to seek support if needed. EMDR is a very effective method to work through the trauma for both women and men. You will still have the memories of the event, but it won’t “hurt” so much. Let your provider know about your history and current state of mental health. Help is available and reaching out for support is brave, vulnerable and essential to you and your growing baby.

2. EMDR: A Therapeutic Approach to Healing

**Fact:** EMDR is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to alleviate emotional distress.

EMDR is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other life experiences. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the events, trauma or issues. EMDR allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.

**Action Tip:** Research and consider EMDR therapy if you're pregnant and struggling with trauma or loss-related emotions. Watch the video on EMDR that I have referenced in this blog.

3. How EMDR Works

**Fact:** EMDR helps process distressing memories and reprocess them in a healthier way.

Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved. (emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ (2023)

**Action Tip:** Learn about the EMDR process and discuss it with a qualified therapist to see if it's the right fit for you. Take a look at this video about EMDR: a short video about EMDR

4. EMDR During Pregnancy

**Fact:** EMDR can be safely administered during pregnancy under the guidance of a trained therapist.

Research now shows us that pregnant clients who receive EMDR therapy experience decreased distress and PTSD symptoms, decreased fears of childbirth, less intrusive thoughts, and overall increases in confidence about their upcoming delivery (Baas, et al., 2022; Baas, van Pampus, Braam, Stramrood, & de Jongh. 2020; Sandstrom, et al., 2008; Stramrood, van der Velde, Weijmar Schultz, & van Pampus, 2011; Stramrood, et al., 2012; Zolghadr, Khoshnazar, MoradiBaglooei, & Alimoradi, 2019).

**Action Tip:** If you're pregnant and considering EMDR, ensure your therapist has experience working with expectant mothers.

Perinatal coaches who are trained in EMDR, offer the best of both worlds. They are able to offer the medical background and understanding of the events that occurred. They can offer explanations to help you better understand your experience. They offer other healing modalities such as breathwork teaching, mindfulness, nutrition etc. along with the tremendous benefits of EMDR.

5. Benefits of EMDR for Pregnancy

**Fact:** EMDR can reduce anxiety, depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

EMDR helps to reduce the mother’s fear of her upcoming childbirth. It will help her in reducing her anxiety and depression. She is better able to use grounding skills in turn increasing the likelihood of her creating a secure and positive attachment with her baby. When prenatal bonding increases, so does the postpartum attachment. EMDR can help with processing and healing from deep attachment wounds. Women are able to build attachment skills to aid in her own ability to parent. EMDR also helps reduce overall cortisol levels in the mother’s body, this will help with improving optimal fetal development and has long term impact on the child and meeting developmental milestones.

**Action Tip:** Discuss with your perinatal coach the specific goals you'd like to achieve during your pregnancy journey. Be open and honest about your history of any abuse, trauma etc. Be willing to share your experiences with infertility, pregnancy, birth and postpartum. When your perinatal coach is aware of these things, you will have better outcomes.

6. Preparing for EMDR

**Fact:** EMDR involves preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, and body scan phases.

These are the different steps in EMDR treatment. It may sound intimidating however, EMDR is one of the gentlest kinds of therapy you can use to work through the problems that arise.

**Action Tip:** Be patient with the process and trust your therapist's guidance as you work through your emotions.

7. After EMDR: Embracing Healing and Pregnancy

**Fact:** EMDR can lead to emotional healing and a more positive pregnancy experience. Treating these problems and the deeper problems of attachment has the potential to change generations to come. As women and their partners learn how to heal and re-parent themselves, they are able to be a better parent to their own children. The memories are still there but they don’t hurt anymore and are healed.

**Action Tip:** Continue to prioritize self-care, lean on your support network, and communicate openly with your healthcare provider.

Pregnancy should be a time of hope, joy, and anticipation. If you're a pregnant woman with a history of birth-related trauma or pregnancy loss, EMDR therapy can be a beacon of healing and emotional well-being. By seeking the guidance of a qualified EMDR therapist, you can navigate the complex emotions that may arise during this pivotal time. Some perinatal coaches are trained in EMDR therapy. They offer the benefit of Truly understanding what you have experienced and helping you move through it.

Remember, healing is a journey, and it's never too late to address past traumas and losses. Embrace the transformative power of EMDR, and let it guide you toward a more positive pregnancy experience—one that is marked by resilience, healing, and the joyous anticipation of welcoming new life into the world. Your emotional well-being matters, and EMDR is here to help you reclaim it, one healing step at a time.