This guide provides an overview of common fears and anxieties in ‘pregnancy after trauma’, space for you to record your thoughts and feelings as you identify areas and specific needs relevant to you, and a blank template for you to bring these together to form your trauma informed birth plan.
 
This would work well as a supplement to good quality birth preparation work and the resulting plans you make, but may feel sufficient for you as a standalone plan.
 
This guide will be helpful if you:
 
are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and have experienced previous trauma (perinatal and/or non-perinatal e.g. physical or sexual abuse) 
 
AND you feel anxious or worried about being triggered and distressed by care, interventions and/or interactions with care providers in pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period.
 
Or if you are a midwife, doula, hypnobirthing teacher or other perinatal professional who works with people preparing for birth.
 
This guide will help you: 
 
Explore triggers and distress related to previous trauma that could come up in your next birth experience. 
 
Make a plan for your next birth experience that can be discussed and communicated with your birth partner and any professionals involved in your care. 
 
Consider what additional support you might need to help you as you navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
 
 
A trauma informed birth plan can never promise a trauma-free pregnancy, birth or postpartum and it cannot guarantee a particular outcome. It is a helpful tool to understand yourself, your needs, and provide space and prompts to create a document that can be shared with your support network and care providers to help them better understand and meet your needs.