What Does an EMDR Session Look Like for Birth Trauma?

Starting Birth Trauma Therapy: What to Expect

I understand that coming for therapy can feel very daunting and scary. Many people can be anxious they aren’t in the right place or can feel their experience isn’t ‘bad enough’. I believe everyone is deserving of help, and with all things birth trauma, if the experience felt traumatic to you, it was. Remember, birth trauma can relate to many different experiences, including difficult or emergency births, feeling unheard or unsupported, medical complications, NICU experiences, birth injuries, pregnancy loss, or feeling a lack of control during labour and birth. There will be no judgement or needing to convince me of your experience.

Your First Online EMDR Therapy Session

So once you decide this might be for you, let’s have a look at what actually happens in a therapy session.

The session will last 60 minutes online. As you would expect from meeting with someone you know, the first few minutes will be catching up on your week and finding out how you are doing as you come that day. It is from there that we decide together where to go next.

If we are in the early stage of therapy, the sessions will be used for getting to know you and what you feel you want help to process or work on. Before we begin any trauma processing, we will make sure EMDR feels right for you and that you have the tools and support you need to feel safe during and between sessions. During this time, I will also share with you information about the brain, about memory and how we react to stress, so that we can piece together how your survival instincts got you through a very overwhelming time in your life.

How Does EMDR for Birth Trauma Work?

It is from this foundation that we will begin to process the moments that feel most important to you. In EMDR, this is done by talking, and by using bilateral movements. These movements can be either with your hands tapping on your shoulders, or by following a moving ball with your eyes on your screen. This sounds a little odd before you try it, but I will guide you through it and explain why these movements help to process stuck or painful memories. Everything we do is evidence-based, and supported by research. EMDR is recommended by the NHS as an effective treatment for trauma, including symptoms that can develop after a traumatic birth experience.

Processing Trauma Memories Safely

Sometimes during this processing, you may feel lots of emotions, and sometimes you may not feel anything. Either way, that is completely OK. You can’t do anything ‘wrong’ in EMDR, and you are always in control of your therapy. If at any point you want to stop and have a break, you can.

Why Every Birth Trauma Therapy Journey Looks Different

As therapy progresses, there may be times when we use bilateral movements for several sessions in a row, and there may be other times when you need space simply to talk through what happened and reflect on where you are in your journey.

The sessions will always end with some time to talk and to get you ready to go on with your day. Sometimes we may use grounding techniques or mindfulness to help with this.

Online EMDR Therapy for Birth Trauma

Remember, EMDR is not about forgetting what happened or pretending it wasn't difficult. Instead, it helps your brain process the experience so that it no longer feels as overwhelming, distressing, or present in your everyday life. Many people find that while they still remember what happened, the memory no longer carries the same emotional intensity.

If you're wondering whether EMDR could help you with your birth experience, you're welcome to get in touch for an informal conversation about what support might feel right for you.