So many moms walk around feeling stuck. They’re doing all the right things - reading the books, saying the prayers, making the meals, going to church, loving their kids fiercely (or trying at least). But, under the surface, there’s a quiet ache. A sense that something isn’t quite right.
They feel anxious, disconnected, even bitter and they can’t always put their finger on why.
For many women, that ache traces back to birth.
Whether their experience was traumatic, disappointing, or just left them feeling unseen and disempowered… the truth is: birth leaves a mark. On your body, your mind, and your nervous system.
What Happens in Birth Doesn’t Stay in Birth
When birth feels unsafe, when there’s fear, coercion, dismissal, or trauma, the body instead triggers a stress response. Cortisol spikes. The nervous system gets stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. And that dysregulation doesn’t just “go away” when the baby is born.
In fact, studies show that birth trauma can affect maternal mental health, breastfeeding outcomes, hormonal balance, and even future reproductive decisions. It can increase the risk of postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD and make women feel hesitant to trust themselves or their bodies again.
Your body is made to heal.
In this week’s episode of The Discerning Mother, I’m opening up about my own story. How I did “everything right” with my first birth. I followed the rules, listened to the experts, obeyed every medical suggestion and still ended up feeling shaken and small.
I share how my third birth radically changed my perspective and how I finally began to understand what it means to trust my body… and to trust God’s design for birth.
We talk about:
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What I wish I knew before baby #1
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Why your birth story matters even years later
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The link between birth, control, and our relationship with God
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The hormones of labor and how they affect your mind, body, and long-term peace
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How healing your birth story brings peace to every part of motherhood
This isn’t just about “having a better birth next time” or "being grateful for a healthy baby." It’s about healing the nervous system. It’s about rewriting the message your body received when it felt unsafe. It’s about reclaiming your voice and your story so you can live in peace and wholeness again.
If you’ve ever wondered why your birth still stings, or if part of you feels guilty for still feeling broken, this episode is for you.
Follow me on Instagram: @brigid.tebaldi
Take the quiz: How is birth trauma affecting you?
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