Traumas of any kind often leave lasting marks on a person’s psyche. Untreated trauma of a parent or grandparent can leave a lasting impact on their offspring for several generations. Trauma can affect pregnancy in similar ways.
Fortunately, there is hope for addressing and managing the impact of trauma and how it can affect pregnancy so that you can enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
Any parent will tell you that taking care of their personal needs while raising children can be challenging. First Steps Recovery is here to support your healing journey with compassion and expertise.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma can be classified as any life-changing event in a person’s life. Depending on the person’s experience and personality, trauma can have a variety of effects. When left untreated or undiagnosed, symptoms of trauma can develop or worsen over time.
Addressing trauma takes time, patience, and consistent effort. With the help of a strong team of caring individuals and useful resources, you can conquer any of your challenges.
The world can at times send the message that trauma and its side effects have no cure. On the contrary, many holistic tools can alleviate the effects of trauma. First Steps Recovery takes great care to honor and address each client’s unique personal experiences. We understand that trauma can impact anyone for a variety of reasons, and we are here to address trauma symptoms.
What Triggers a Trauma Response?
Although certain events may be considered more impactful than others, a trauma response can be triggered by anything. Oftentimes, trauma can affect a person physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. Any event that has a lasting impact on the mind and body can be considered traumatic.
Fortunately, learning how to cope with life’s challenges effectively can support your recovery process. As you navigate your experiences with a greater sense of peace, it will naturally feel easier to overcome hardship.
If you or a loved one have been impacted by trauma, you can free yourself from the mental and emotional bondage with patience and active strides toward positive change. A strong support system will also help sustain your steps toward lasting wellness.
What Does Trauma Look Like?
The effects of trauma can manifest in different ways. Although trauma is most often associated with combat veterans and severely violent experiences, many experiences can trigger traumatic responses. Trauma also has different levels of impact on a mother and baby, depending on the trimester. Trauma can affect pregnancy and a child’s growth. Some of the behaviors and concerns that indicate a trauma response in a mother can include:
- Loss of interest in goals and enjoyable activities
- Feeling disconnected from others
- Avoiding others and difficulty trusting others
- Physical symptoms such as sweating, heart racing, or jumpy and irritable behavior
- Emotional symptoms such as feeling shocked and nervous
If you or a loved one have been impacted by any of these symptoms, please reach out to us. Even if you have more severe symptoms like thoughts of suicide or harm, First Steps Recovery is ready to help.
How Does Trauma Affect Pregnancy?
Ultimately, finding the right treatment plan that supports your healing and growth is the first step toward recovery. As you heal, your child will become healthier and happier as well.
Becoming aware of your circumstances is only one part of the journey. Once you know you are dealing with trauma, addressing it and staying committed takes practice. That is just proof that we are only human after all. As long as you continue to strive to be your best each day and prioritize your well-being, you will be able to show up as the parent you aspire to be.
How Healing After Trauma Affects Pregnancy
With cutting-edge research in the field of trauma work, there are more and more options available for successful trauma treatment. Much like any other healing practice, each individual’s experience with trauma is unique, requiring individualized care for successful progress and recovery.
Healing Strategies When Trauma Affects Pregnancy
There are a few healing strategies that can be tailored and applied to support your growth and wellness. You and your healthcare team can determine what strategies may be the most effective for you. Some of the healing practices to consider for overcoming trauma so it doesn’t affect pregnancy include:
- Creating your new normal: When you establish a meaningful daily routine that actively encourages the life you want, this will help you make steady progress. You are the only thing between your past and the future you desire for yourself and your child. As you get in touch with yourself and what you need, it will be easier to create a new and healthy life.
- Surrounding yourself with loving and supportive people: Whether they’re family, friends, support group peers, or a therapist, you need a support system. You may be surprised to discover how many people will be willing to show up to encourage your healing. Perhaps you will be guided to change or remove certain relationships to accommodate your healing. This is okay because your commitment to positive change will attract the right peers for you.
- Developing a mindfulness practice: Whether it’s through meditation, deep breathing, or prayer, a mindfulness practice brings a variety of benefits. You can practice mindfulness during any focused activity, including art and exercise. However, having a designated quiet space for meditation or prayer can make it possible to hear and address your thoughts and behaviors for the best.
- Getting the help you need: Whether you need detox support, therapy, or alternative treatment options, reaching out for help sooner rather than later will make your road to recovery much smoother.
First Steps Recovery is here to support and guide your steps toward healing and lasting wellness. No matter where you’ve been, you can find healing right now. Our team is dedicated to helping each of our clients take the steps toward a positive and empowering future.
Trauma can shape the way a person sees and interacts with the world. Parenthood also comes with its own unique set of mental and emotional changes for mothers and fathers alike. Trauma can affect pregnancy in many ways, particularly when left untreated. Getting the help that you need will make it easier to navigate your experience so that you can be present in this new chapter of your life. First Steps Recovery is here to guide you through your healing process. When trauma is carefully addressed, it is less likely to have a negative impact on your pregnancy and the postpartum period. Contact our team of dedicated doctors and mentors at (844) 489-0836 for healing guidance today.
