Birth trauma or not???

[LoraElyse]

I've never heard of birth trauma before so I'm really not sure if it's what is wrong with me or not.
I've been searching the internet for months to try and figure out what the problem is with me.

Ever since I gave birth to my daughter in July 08 I've had terrible anxiety about hospitals and having something wrong with me. Every time I've had to set foot in a hospital since then, whether it be for myself or someone else, my heart starts racing, I feel sick and like I'm going to pass out. I get really agitated and just have to get out of there and I cant stand it.
And I have this really strong ridiculous paranoia about there being something seriously wrong with me. Every time I feel any kind of pain in my body my heart starts racing again and I feel really nervous and sick.

Could this be birth trauma? I've searched the internet for info on phobias but I just don't understand why I would suddenly develop a phobia for no reason.
The birth of my daughter wasn't particularly traumatic for me (that I know of). I had an epidural and I had a 3rd degree tear and had to get surgery right after. My daughter also had a little trouble breathing so she was in a oxygen tank overnight. Other than that I think it all went pretty well. I didn't feel traumatized at all right afterwards.
The problems I spoke about started happening about a month after her birth.

It's getting to the point where I don't go to the doctors if I'm sick, and I'm getting afraid that I wont be able to have another baby because I'm so afraid.

Any ideas/help?

[beebs]

I've had a birth trauma that trigger all kinds of different things - anxiety. panic, agoraphobia etc. I would suggest defo going to see someone, only you can tell if you have had a birth trauma, its a very individual thing you know? Maybe call the maternity hospy you gave birth at and tell them how you are feeling and ask to be referred to someone. Good luck!

[Hooves]

Definately go and speak to someone.

I was never really that worried about my births, until I was pregnant again, then I would have re curring nightmares, about giving birth.

It got worse with each pregnancy.

I also noticed I couldn't enter maternity ward, without getting weird butterfly feelings in my stomache, and I would also become very tense.

You may not feel your experience was that traumatic at the time, or when you look back on it. But it would be worth looking into, why you feel the way you do, when you go to hospital, or why you fear getting ill.

[Tam-I-Am]

If you didn't feel particularly traumatised by your daughter's birth and continue to feel this way, then I'd say it's unlikely to be a reaction to birth trauma....but it could very well be post-natal depression/anxiety, and that doesn't have to be triggered by any *thing* in particular.

Definitely make an appointment to see your GP and perhaps have a think about asking to see a psychologist. You can get up to 12 sessions subsidised by medicare in any calendar year, so it shouldn't be overly expensive.

Good luck :)

[beebs]

but it could very well be post-natal depression/anxiety, and that doesn't have to be triggered by any *thing* in particular.
Good luck :)

Good point Tam!