Can Men Suffer from Birth Trauma, Too?
October 24th, 2017Nowadays, it is the norm rather than the exception for men to attend the births of their children. According to the BBC, approximately 86 percent of men are present for labor and delivery.
When a woman has a traumatic birth story, though, most people simply overlook the man’s experience. After all, the woman is the one who has been connected to the baby for the past nine months, and she is the one who is physically delivering the couple’s child.
Witnessing a loved one suffer can be distressing, though, and men are just as vulnerable to stress and anxiety following a traumatic delivery as women are. If your family experienced a traumatic delivery and you are not sure how to get closure following the incident, contact The Bowling Law Firm.
A compassionate birth injury lawyer on our team can assess the circumstances of the delivery and help you hold the liable parties accountable for the physical and emotional injuries that your family incurred. David A. Bowling has more than 30 years of trial experience representing medical malpractice victims. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a case evaluation with a birth injury attorney in Baton Rouge.
Can Men Suffer Birth Trauma, Too?
Although men may not suffer physically during labor and delivery, they can experience serious emotional trauma if they witness their partner or their child fall victim to medical malpractice. A traumatic birth ultimately affects the whole family, and it can have lasting repercussions that test the couple’s relationship for years to come.
As if having a new baby was not stressful enough, caring for an infant who sustained an injury at birth can be downright overwhelming. As a result, most new dads do not even realize they suffered birth trauma until they have already been coping with the emotional turmoil for several months.
Men who witnessed their partner experience a traumatic delivery can determine their own level of trauma by knowing the most common signs and symptoms. For example, men may be suffering from birth trauma if they:
- Avoid looking at photos of the birth;
- Feel overwhelmed talking about the birth and try to avoid discussing it;
- Have the nagging feeling that something bad is going to happen to their partner or child;
- Had certain experiences or emotions during the birth that they have avoided sharing with their partner;
- Dismiss their feelings about the birth by telling themselves repeatedly that they are fine;
- Have a hard time hearing their partner discuss her birth experience; or
- Obsess about the details surrounding the birth to the point where they become intrusive thoughts.
Psychological trauma is every bit as real as physical illness or injury, and it can affect your ability to provide for your loved ones. If your partner experienced a traumatic birth and your entire family is suffering as a result, contact The Bowling Law Firm.
A Baton Rouge birth injury lawyer can assess the circumstances of your case to determine if you have a valid claim. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation. You can learn more about birth injury claims in Louisiana by visiting USAttorneys.com.
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