Perinatal Trauma Therapy

When Trauma Follows You Into Parenthood—Let’s Talk About It

What is Perinatal Trauma?

Perinatal trauma is more than just the stress of pregnancy or childbirth—it’s the emotional, mental, and physical aftermath that can leave you feeling like you’ve been through a war. It's not just about having a "hard birth" or a loss; it’s the long-lasting effects that stay with you long after the dust settles. If you’ve experienced birth trauma, pregnancy loss, or infertility, or if you’re just scared as hell about the idea of bringing a baby into the world, you might have perinatal trauma without even realizing it.

But it doesn’t stop there. Sometimes, your childhood wounds pop up right when you’re trying to navigate motherhood, making everything feel even more overwhelming. You might find yourself terrified of repeating patterns from your past or unsure if you’re "good enough" to break the cycle. If you were raised in a chaotic or unsafe environment, those old fears can rear their ugly heads when you become a parent yourself. Suddenly, you’re worried about your own parenting abilities, whether you'll be able to protect your child, or if you're going to screw things up like you think your parents did. It’s a lot.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to stay this way. Therapy is a powerful tool to help you process all of it—whether it’s birth trauma, the fear of being a "bad parent," or the lingering effects of childhood wounds. You don’t have to keep carrying this weight around, trying to be everything to everyone while ignoring the trauma that’s affecting your mental and emotional well-being. You deserve to heal, to regain control, and to trust yourself and your parenting instincts again.

Is perinatal trauma showing up in your life?

trauma therapy in georgia

Perinatal trauma can show up in subtle, unexpected ways. Here’s how to tell if it might be time to get some support:

  • You can’t stop worrying that something’s going to go wrong with your baby or your health, even when everything seems fine.

  • You feel emotionally numb or disconnected—not just from your baby, but from your partner or even yourself.

  • You’re constantly anxious, exhausted, or overwhelmed, and no amount of sleep or self-care seems to help.

  • Childhood wounds, fears of repeating unhealthy patterns, or the fear of being a “bad parent” keep creeping in, making you doubt yourself at every turn.

  • Your relationships are struggling because you’re carrying emotional baggage from your past or your birth experience.

  • You find it hard to trust your body again after a traumatic birth or loss.

  • If you've experienced pregnancy or birth loss, those grief and trauma feelings might be lingering, making it hard to feel whole or connected with your baby.

  • You feel isolated, as if no one truly understands your experience, and it’s hard to talk about what you're going through.

If any of this resonates with you, it might be time to talk to someone. Perinatal trauma doesn’t just disappear on its own, but therapy can help you process it, heal, and move forward with the tools you need to thrive—both as a parent and as a person.

What are signs of perinatal trauma??

  • Emotional

    Feeling emotionally numb or detached from your baby

    Overwhelming anxiety or fear about your baby’s health or your own

    Constant guilt or shame over your parenting abilities

    Difficulty bonding with your baby or feeling “disconnected” from them

    Flashbacks to traumatic birth or loss experiences

    Persistent sadness or feelings of grief, even after the “expected” mourning period

  • Physical

    Trouble sleeping (either insomnia or oversleeping)

    Chronic fatigue or exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest

    Persistent physical tension or pain (headaches, muscle tension, etc.)

    Frequent panic attacks or shortness of breath

    Difficulty trusting your body after a traumatic birth or pregnancy experience

  • Behavioral

    Avoidance of baby-related activities or milestones (like feeding or bath time)

    Isolating yourself from friends, family, or support systems

    Becoming hypervigilant about your baby’s health or safety

    Experiencing difficulty asking for help or expressing needs

    Overexerting yourself in an attempt to "do it all" without rest

  • Parenting Fears

    Constant fear of “messing up” or repeating negative patterns from your own childhood

    Feeling like you don’t have the tools to parent effectively

    Hyper-awareness of your child’s needs or behavior due to unresolved trauma

    Difficulty managing your child’s emotions without getting triggered by your own unresolved past

  • Relationship

    Feeling distant or disconnected from your partner

    Struggling to communicate or share your fears and feelings

    Difficulty trusting others to help with your baby or care

    Experiencing tension or conflict over parenting choices

    Intimacy issues due to trauma-related stress