National Birth Trauma Survey for Parents

Hello,

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill out this survey.

This survey is part of Make Birth Better’s Think Trauma Now campaign, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The goal of this campaign is for everyone to know about birth trauma and how to find the support they need.

Birth trauma describes symptoms of trauma related to the birth itself and/or circumstances around the birth.

Symptoms of birth trauma present on a scale. At the more extreme end, it might mean a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However even with mild to moderate symptoms, your life can be significantly impacted.

An easier way to understand birth trauma is that you felt intensely afraid, fearful, out of control or helpless when you were giving birth, when you were pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) or after you had your baby. And that this has left a lasting imprint on you mentally and/or physically. Birth trauma is also known as perinatal trauma, ‘perinatal’ refers to the period from trying to conceive, to pregnancy, to birth and the months beyond.

So if it wasn’t your birth experience, perhaps going through IVF was traumatic for you, or maybe you had a painful miscarriage, or you struggled immensely when you were breastfeeding. You are the only one to know what felt traumatic or extremely hard on your journey.

This survey is for us to establish what knowledge people have around birth trauma.

Before you move on, please only continue with this survey if:
  • You gave birth and received healthcare in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
  • You gave birth within the last 2 years.
  • You attended the majority of your routine checks with your GP and/or Health Visitor after you gave birth.

Note: We strongly encourage honest answers and your answers will be anonymous.

Thank you again for taking part!

Kindest,
Team Make Birth Better
1.Where did you give birth?
2.Before you became pregnant, were you aware that it is possible to experience symptoms of trauma* relating to the birth itself or circumstances around the birth? Also known as 'birth trauma', 'postnatal PTSD' or 'perinatal trauma'.


* (E.g.: feeling incredibly scared, overwhelmed, sad or guilty; having intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and/or nightmares; reliving your birth; avoiding hospitals or pregnant friends; struggling to sleep; feeling switched on all the time and unsafe in the world.)
3.Were you asked about the emotional impact of your birth experience by your GP at your 6-week check or other routine appointments with your GP after you had your baby?

For example they might have asked "What was your birth experience like?" "It is very common to find childbirth traumatic and upsetting, how do you feel about your birth?" “Do you feel your birth has affected your mental health?”
4.Were you asked about the emotional impact of your birth experience by your Health Visitor (HV) at your routine appointments after you had your baby?

For example they might have asked "What was your birth experience like?" "It is very common to find childbirth traumatic and upsetting, how do you feel about your birth?" “Do you feel your birth has affected your mental health?”
5.Were you given any information about birth trauma / perinatal trauma / Postnatal PTSD by a healthcare professional or antenatal teacher before, during or after your pregnancy?

For example: during pregnancy classes, at discharge from hospital or in appointments with your midwife / GP / HV.
6.Did you search for or come across any information about birth trauma / perinatal trauma / Postnatal PTSD online? If so, please specify.

For example: on social media, in articles or on forums
7.If you experienced birth trauma, were you provided with any support? You can select more than one response.
8.If you would like to, please add any additional comments about your experience with your GP or Health Visitor at routine appointments.
9.If you would like to sign up to Make Birth Better's newsletter, please share your email address below. We never spam or sell data. That's a promise.