A phenomenological exploration of parenting after birth trauma: Mothers perceptions of the first year

While perinatal mental health issues are considered to have an impact on a mother’s parenting capacity, there is limited research exploring mothers’ perceptions of their relationship with child following traumatic birth experiences and how these might affect capacity. Birth trauma well-recognised phenomenon which may result in ongoing physical difficulties for women. This attachment children, capabilities, self-identity as mothers. To explore maternal self-perceptions bonding infants trauma. In-depth interviews ten mothers were undertaken using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology. Women who experienced often described disconnection lacking confidence parental decision making. Many perceived themselves being ‘not good enough’ For some women the resulted memory gaps immediate post-partum period they found distressing, or recovery was so overwhelming that it impacted capabilities parent way had imagined would. Some developed anxiety isolating experience early parenthood. suffered be at risk increased fear around child’s abilities. this feeling lower emotional infant. should offered support during parenting. Mother-Infant relationships improve after first year.