I'm Not Fine, Thanks for Asking: The Communication Work of Birth Trauma

Abstract

Research on traumatic birth asserts that up to 68% of birth persons describe their birth experience as traumatic. Despite this significant statistic, societal expectations regarding communication practices following the traumatic birth of a child remain rooted in stigmatized perceptions, often decentering the trauma from communication. This study investigates birth trauma through the lens of Donovan’s communication work and Tracy’s reflexive approach to qualitative research to explore how communication work surrounding birth trauma, while inherently individual in its nuances, impacts broader communication processes and relational dynamics. Twenty-three interviews were conducted with birth persons who experienced trauma during and after the delivery of a living child. Reflexivity played a central role in both the design and execution of the study, allowing for an evolving interview guide informed by participants' experiences and the researcher’s own lived experience of birth trauma. Findings from a phronetic iterative analysis revealed that communication work related to birth trauma is multifaceted, involving the navigation of interpersonal relationships, medical interactions, and self-advocacy. The study highlights how birth persons engage in legitimizing their trauma, managing multiple communication goals, and handling the emotional labor of managing relationships with others regarding their trauma. Furthermore, participants frequently noted the significant impact of external validation or invalidation, from healthcare professionals and social supports in processing their trauma. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how communication functions as both a barrier and conduit in addressing the lived experiences of birth persons, and how these insights can inform future clinical and social approaches to trauma and the way it is discussed.