I loved this discussion with Susanne – be forewarned, it’s the equivalent of eavesdropping on us in a coffee shop. It’s not an information overload episode, it’s a chat about our experiences. We both have been diagnosed with PTSD following different circumstances, and our experiences are vastly different, yet remarkably similar. We both agree that there needs to be more awareness of how this can affect a pregnancy – not only for the woman, but for her partner, and her care givers. Midwives and obstetric consultants should also listen to this for a valuable insight into the mind of a pregnant woman dealing with PTSD. In this episode: The importance of language and some examples of what to be aware of when talking to someone with PTSD – especially trigger words What a PTSD episode can look and feel like (of course everyone’s experiences are different) so you know you’re not alone if you’re experiencing these weird and wonderful emotions Very basic ways to support someone who’s dealing with PTSD before you can find professional help Very basic EFT – aka tapping Recognising that you need help and how to ask for it Why a healthy baby is not all that matters A little about KG hypnobirthing Resources: Positive Birth Movement online catalogue of in-person groups and fantastic articles to read Katherine Graves’ hypnobirthing book “A healthy baby is not all that matters” article by Milli Hill We also discussed my own birth that led to PTSD, which you can read here