Birth Trauma Impacts 1 in 3
Birth Trauma Impacts 1 in 3
Upwards of 15% of midwives and obstetricians are developing PTSD from vicarious trauma. The fact that black women in NYC are 12X more likely to die in birth than white women is unacceptable. BUT we can action change.
what they don't teach you about birth work?
Enrol Now!
Birth Trauma Training for Birth Workers
Dear birth worker, I see you. Getting into your car after witnessing yet another difficult birth. Gripping the wheel, pit in your stomach, holding back the tears. Maybe you’re sitting on public transport scrolling through your phone to numb out from the pain. Feeling a mixture of disbelief, fury, and shame for feeling burdened by it all.
Rehearsing over and over what you could have said, what you could have done to help a family through a traumatic birth? Preparing yourself to go back to your own kids, or maybe a partner who doesn’t get it. You whack a smile on your face and try to push through.
You’re wondering ‘how did it get to this?’ You were once so excited about babies being born, so full of joy at the privilege of being one of the first people to place your hands on a new baby. Looking into those eyes gazing into your soul, and feeling those little fingers wrap around your finger. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The nightmares, feeling rushed, bullied, and wondering when you’ll get a chance to pee, let alone work on your trauma.
I know your training didn’t prepare you for how to cope with birth trauma. Every day you’re up against people saying “do self-care!”, “we can’t change the system” or “all that matters is a healthy baby”.
Ready to change birth outcomes?
Welcome
Birth isn't supposed to be like this
Birth isn't supposed to be like this...
and yet, here we are with most birth workers feeling...
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Unprepared and overwhelmed that you're not sure if you're cut out for birth work.
02
Fearing 'foot in mouth' syndrome - not knowing what to say, what makes trauma better or worse and how to help by staying in your lane.
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Angry at the patriarchal birthing systems that let families and the people who care for them down
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Hopeful that we CAN make change to birthing outcomes, just unsure of where to begin.
“Exactly what I have been looking for ”
In terms of developing coping mechanisms to show up in my profession as a strong and adaptive midwife
— Chloe
I've been there
Two traumatic births that changed my life
After my second birth - a 5.0kg (11.3) baby with severe shoulder dystocia, I was *mostly* OK, but watching my doula struggle had me asking "where is the support for the birth workers?". Two weeks post partum I felt the nudge to rock the system.
every midwife, doula & OBgyn i spoke to said "we just don't receive any birth trauma training". WHAT?! how can this be?
The babies of my babies need you. What you’re feeling is justified. You’re not weak or too sensitive. It makes you a beautiful human. Struggling to cope is a gap in skills training, it’s NOT a personal failing. You can learn these skills.
birth trauma training for birth workers
introducing...
The difference between trauma & PTSD. Identify ways trauma develops by directly experiencing, witnessing or hearing about an event. Begin to understand how witnessing birth trauma impacts occupational stress and birth culture.
The language of 'failure', coercion & control
Gender and identity inclusive language
Assess and address your biases
Language, the subconscious & birth
Using medical terms versus client’s terms
Here's What You'll Learn
Introduction to trauma
Birth & Language
module ONE
module two
CBT and cognitive therapies
EMDR
Hypnotherapy
The Rewind Technique
Somatic Experiencing
EFT & more
Treatment & Support
module four
What can you do to help in the first forty eight hours after birth for your client and yourself
How to help yourself & others with difficult emotions
Debriefs and groups
Working with partners
Healings Vs Harm
module Three
LET'S BREAK it DOWN
The neurobiology of trauma
A brief overview of the fight/flight/freeze/appease
How trauma affects the five senses
How trauma affects the memory systems
And how dissociation relates to trauma
What is posttraumatic growth versus resilience
Shifting from a personal failing mindset to a skill development mindset
The psychology of work and happiness
Why “I’ll be happy when I’m successful” is a myth
The Body Remembers
Phoenix Rising
module 5
module 6
Explain what this course feature is and sharing what it will do for the student. Remember, this is about them first and foremost. You want to help them visualize how their current problem will be solved. Use the description of this specific feature to help create that visualization.
Amazing information. I will particularly take the lesson about birth and language with me in the future.
- Rachael
“Perfect match. Erin is clearly a brilliant clinician for her field”
This additional training provides insight and tools to help support birth partners. Usually sold as a separate course for USD$37, I decided to include it as a bonus!
Get free access to the masterclass!
free course
Birth Trauma in Partners
Bonus!
16 hours of CPD for full completion of the course.
Birth Trauma Training is Accredited with the Australian College of Midwives
Comfort to have a tool kit with micro & macro coping strategies for work+life.
How does this sound?
Reassured that you know what to say, how to help, when to help & when to refer .
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the results you're going to get:
Activated to be a game changer. Someone who is willing to stand up and say "no more"
03
Supported to know you're not alone. That there are thousands of birth workers with you.
04
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Yes, I'm in!
YES, I'm in!
Yes, I'm in!
“ I am so happy with what I learned and can't wait to start applying it to my work.”
- Jo
Kind words
“Love the pace and explanation by Dr Erin. It's very clear and easy to understand”
- siti
Kind words
“ I never really thought about my own self care needs in relation to trauma before this.”
- e jackson
Kind words
“Thorough and up to date information presented in a professional yet friendly way.”
- kirrah
Kind words
The work you do here has the power to impact so many families
let's get started!
“I have done lots of work on my own first birth. But nothing like this...”
I feel this should be more widely used as a form of prevention for people working in this industry. Like any other prerequisite.
Ebony:
how training helps
“There really isn't anything else like this course in the world. ”
This topic isn't spoken about enough, I urge every birth worker to do this course. You will learn heaps of applicable tools to your role. Thank you Dr Erin for making this course
Gabrielle:
“A gorgeous course that truly helped me understand so much about birth trauma ”
Dr Erin is so passionate about the subject and making a difference in the lives of those with trauma. She is gentle, kind and so knowledgeable on the subject. I'm really happy I purchased this course!
Kirstin:
You are the difference between someone having a difficult birth and developing trauma, versus having a difficult birth and learning to thrive in spite of it. I REALLY want you to stay in birth work if that is your goal. We need birth workers who bring humanity and compassion. People like you who are willing to do the work on themselves so that they can be that strong container for someone else.
How you show up in the birth space is directly or indirectly making a difference not just for one birthing person, but their baby and their family.
You're in the right place.
“ People will never forget how you made them feel”
— Maya Angelou
“This gave me so many aha moments”
in easy to understand language, great content all with humour and compassion. Loved it!
sara:
how training helps
“This first 40 minutes has been invaluable to me. ”
When Dr. Bowe said, "I don't have time for that, versus, I don't value that in this moment. See how that feels." That to me was so powerful! Excited to get in to the rest of this course!
Brandie:
“You have a way with words that makes me so excited to gain these skills. ”
We do all have trauma, and I am excited to have these skills as a mother to teach my children, to have these skills so I can be a good friend to others, tools to take care of myself, and to help clients.
claire:
“I feel like it has inspired hope.”
It is easy to watch. I like Dr Erin’s realness and her no BS approach
jenni:
“This course is incredible...”
I’m only half way through and getting so much out of it.... so many light bulb moments and nuggets of gold. Will definitely be listening through a couple more times.
tamara:
“I really love it. It was easy to follow ”
As a new midwife it has opened my eyes that not only to look after women and their families but also my own self.
christine:
Feel confident & capable in your role as an emotional first responder
Understand the difference between 'big T' trauma & 'little T' trauma & trauma as a continuum.
Develop a set of coping tools to set you up for life which you can then teach clients, your kids & anyone who'll listen
Have an appreciation for the incredible personal & professional growth that can (with time) come from trauma.
Align your thoughts, words and behaviours to create the strength & growth.
Find lightness in without making light of trauma.
By the end of training you will...
Enrol Now
Free Birth Trauma Resources
I have 6+ years of birth trauma content that I've created - blogs, interviews, videos with tips and more. Every year Birth Trauma Awareness Week rolls around it occurs to me that I should list them all in one place!
So whether you are a parent looking for some info and strategies or a birth worker or perinatal professional, you'll likely find something useful here.
I'm Doctor Erin Bowe
Clinical Psychologist, Author, Business Mentor, Course Creator, Educator, Supervisor, Podcaster, Mum (to tiny humans, dogs & chicken divas). Slight Overachiever. brought good chocolate...
Hello there!
If Not You, Then Who?
When I first launched Birth Trauma Training for Birth Workers, I did exactly what business coaches recommended I do - approach other businesses. The few who actually responded mostly said 'no'. Are you surprised? I wasn't. Most midwives are lucky to get a free pizza after a difficult shift, let alone training or support.
When I switched to focussing on selling to individuals everything changed. Is it good enough that workplaces won't invest in trauma training? Absolutely not. However, activists, empaths and change makers know that we don't improve birth outcomes while waiting for permission and a hand-graved invitation.
i didn't want to be the poster girl for birth trauma
This course is unique because...
I have 12+ years of professional experience
Supporting families through trauma to find growth, strength and beautiful resilience they never knew possible. I now have 3 birth trauma specific courses and teach students in over 40 countries. I've also written a book on birth trauma, More Than a Healthy Baby: Finding Strength & Growth After Birth Trauma.
I previously taught childbirth education with Hypnobirthing Australia and have written and provided expert comment for the Sydney Morning Herald, Kidspot, Essential Baby, Essential Kids and others. In 2020 I was a finalist in 2 categories for the AusMumpreneur Awards for my birth trauma work.
I also have the lived, personal experience of two traumatic briths of my own
When I'm teaching you about trauma and posttraumatic growth, I'm able to speak direct from the source. I had the professional training, I hired a doula, I did hypnobirthing, read everything by Michel Odent and Sarah Buckley and watched the Business of Being Born. I did ALL the things to prepare for the most gentle births possible, and I still experienced birth trauma.
I’ve used these experiences as a conduit for personal growth and strength. I wanted the tools that helped me to be as accessible as possible.
I believe that trauma can actually be your biggest teacher. It might not feel like it now, but having survived this experience has the potential to really transform you. To see just how strong and capable you are.
Everything you need to be that emotional first responder.
A Psychologist isn't (typically) the first person someone sees after a traumatic birth. It's the midwives, doulas, obstetricians, nurses, lactation consultants, yoga teachers (& so many others!) who are holding that space.
Know that you are changing birth outcomes
Feel confident with what to say & how to help
Learn to see trauma as your biggest teacher
Finally have a tool kit of coping strategies to soothe trauma - to pass on to clients, colleagues & your kids :)
Support families to achieve posttraumatic growth
Feel so proud of yourself for investing in your own personal & professional growth
Invest in yourself, your clients and birth culture as a whole.
Enrol Now
This is for you if:
You want to change birth outcomes
You're looking to become a certified trauma practitoner
YOu care about maternal outcomes
YOU'RE NOT WILLING to do the work
you're willing to work on yourself
It's probably not for you if...
YOU'RE hoping this is a replacement for therapy
When does the course start/finish?
The course is evergreen so you can enrol at anytime and learn at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the course take?
The total video content is just over 3 hours. The self-directed assessments, reading reflection - 16 hours.
I've had my own traumatic birth, where should I start?
More than a Healthy Baby - the parent course & book are designed for parents to get support.
I'm interested in doing what you do - what pathways are there?
I recommend you read this blog post about working in birth trauma support
Will this course certify me in birth trauma counselling or therapy?
No, this course is not a qualifying course to become a counsellor or other professional.
I can't access my course, forgot my login or have a support question
Your best bet is to click 'forgot password'
See specific FAQ here.
I finished the full 16 hours & am ready for my certificate
Send a request to dr.erinbowe@gmail.com. I issue these myself at the end of each month
How do I become an affiliate?
I pay 25% of your course fee back when you sign up other people using your unique link, Sign up is easy. Follow instructions HERE
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If you've read through the FAQ and still have questions, feel free to contact me. I work 2 days a week, so will aim to answer my inbox on those days.
Still on the fence?
