 As we observe Birth Trauma Awareness Week, at Greater Houston Counseling Services, PLLC, we want to reach out to all those who have experienced or are dealing with the aftermath of birth trauma. We want you to know that you're not alone and that your feelings, your fears, and your pain are valid. Birth trauma is a profound event that can have significant physical and psychological effects on mothers. It's often overlooked or minimized in conversations surrounding childbirth, leaving many women to silently grapple with their experiences. However, it's essential to shine a light on this topic, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic dialogue about childbirth.  Birth trauma can manifest in many forms. It could be a physically traumatic experience such as an emergency C-section, a painful labor, or complications post-delivery. Alternatively, it can be emotional trauma stemming from feeling disempowered, unheard, or dismissed during childbirth, or anxiety over the baby's wellbeing. While every woman's experience with birth trauma is unique, common symptoms may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, feelings of shame or guilt, difficulty bonding with the baby, or fear of future childbirth.  So, how do we navigate through this? Firstly, acknowledging your trauma is a brave step towards healing. Remember, it's okay to grieve the birth experience you wished you'd had. It's important to understand that it's not your fault, and it doesn't define you as a mother. Open communication is vital. If you're comfortable, share your experiences with supportive family members, friends, or communities who have had similar experiences. This can be an essential part of the healing process, allowing you to feel heard and understood. Professional support, such as therapy or counseling, can be incredibly helpful. At Greater Houston Counseling Services, we offer empathetic and non-judgmental support to help you process your trauma and navigate your path to recovery.
This Birth Trauma Awareness Week, we urge you to reach out if you're struggling. Your mental health matters, and seeking help is a testament to your strength. Remember, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to prioritize your healing. Your journey matters, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
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 Studies in the past have shown the success to happy and lasting marriage is putting your spouse first. As crazy as it may sound, it is the truth that many are scared to hear. Everyone wants a happy marriage, but not everyone wants to put the work to get there. Life changes when you start having children. From the long sleepless nights to days full of joy, but your marriage should only get stronger as the both of you have created a beautiful blessing. Here’s 2 tips how you can have a successful marriage. Boundaries Prior to becoming parents as a couple you should build a foundation that can never be broken. The best gift you can give your children is raising them through a strong and healthy marriage. That starts off by setting boundaries. Boundaries are one of the most important things in marriage. From the start of your relationship you must create boundaries that should never be crossed. Always treat each other with respect. Treat your spouse the way you would like to be treated. You should always talk to each other with love and find healthy ways to communicate. Simply put your spouse first Always put your spouse first, this doesn’t mean you have to choose between your child's well being and your marriage. Instead, it means taking the time to intentionally and actively invest in your relationship with your spouse, knowing that when you and your spouse are connected, you are better parents.Also keep in mind you started this journey with each other alone, and once your kids turn 18 and leave off to college, your spouse will be the only one left. Your kids are only with you for a couple decades until they decide to start their own family, you chose your spouse to be with them forever. You must give your marriage the attention and effort it deserves. Don’t ever forget why you chose them to be your partner in life, and don’t ever stop dating your spouse. The moment we have a child, our world changes and our entire focus is on them. We slowly but surely start putting our marriage aside, because who has time or energy to even think about going on a date right? We’re sleep deprived, tired and every moment we get to ourselves we utilize it to clean, cook, do laundry, etc. Both parents must make the time to continue to spend time together alone. Even if it means waiting until the baby falls asleep to have a movie night in the living room with your spouse on a Friday night. Always make sure some time is being spent alone. Children grow up to be the reflection of their home, wouldn’t you want your children to marry someone who's always going to put them first?  Some days are harder than others. As a Mom to a 3 year old and 1 year old I absolutely get it. Between changing diapers, feeding children, and playing hide and seek the time can feel like a blur. It’s not uncommon for Moms to feel overworked and underpaid at times. What if I told you that you didn’t have to wait until naptime to get a calm minute? What if I said that you could find some mental peace before your partner comes home? That’s right, you can. It only takes a few minutes out of your day. You ready to hear this big secret? Mindfulness. That’s right, just mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present within the moment. It allows you to focus on the here and now in order to blow off some frustration or refocus yourself and your energy. The best part about mindfulness is that with a little practice it can be done at any time. Mindfulness exercises can be with words or no speaking at all. It involves focusing on your breath and being aware of tension or conflict within your body and mind. Sounds easy enough, right? One mindfulness exercise that works great for busy Moms (and busy people in general) is taking a SNAP break. Stop, Notice, Accept, and Pay attention to your breath. This is a great exercise for bringing awareness to your current state and calming down. Stop and take a mental (and physical if possible) pause from what you’re doing. Notice your body. Is there tension in your shoulders? Hands? Jaw? Do a quick body scan and identify where your body is tense. Accept this tension for now. Give yourself grace to experience the feelings you’re having. Pay attention to your breathing. If your mind travels off to the current stressors at hand, gently redirect your attention back to your breath. You can repeat this as many times as necessary. Difficult times will come and go. Breathe, Mom, you’ve got this! AuthorChristina Runnels is a mental health therapist and Mom of 2. She has a passion for working with Moms as they transition through pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, and beyond. She also has experience working with birth trauma, infertility, and other maternal mental health issues. She enjoys watching her clients grow to reach their full potential. Categories All |
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Greater Houston Counseling Services, PLLC
PO Box 840237 Houston, TX 77284 "Making your day a little easier" Phone: (832) 717-7166 |
Four locations across the Houston area |