Birth After Trauma Workshop | Parijat Deshpande

A training for birth workers to understand how to address the unique needs of a client with a history of birth trauma for a physiologically safe birth next time

You’re a birth worker because you are dedicated to guiding birthing people to bringing a child into this world.

You believe every person deserves the chance at a supportive birth.

And, you know that when the birthing parent feels safe when delivering, birth is far more likely to be quick, uncomplicated, and safest for the birthing person and baby.

But, you also are aware of the real statistics, that this experience is not most birthing people’s reality, especially birthing people of color.

You also know that the medical system that your client has been needing for prenatal care is ripe with opportunities for a client to experience birth trauma before.

Now you want to know what you can do to enhance your services to support your clients who have experienced birth trauma before.

That’s exactly why I created the Birth After Trauma workshop!

I remember when speaking with a private client not too long ago and she was recounting her experience with birth trauma. She mentioned that each of her birth professionals - her medical providers, her midwife, and her doula - were not only touching her body but also moving her body without asking if she wanted to move that way.

“I think it’s time to lie on your side,” her doula instructed her. And like a good patient, she followed instructions. Before she knew it, her doula had her hands on her hips, helping her open up her pelvis, and this client described the fear that jolted through her body in that moment.

She felt she couldn’t say anything because she trusted that her providers knew what they were doing.

At that moment, she left her body and handed it over to everyone else.

I share this story with love because...

I am a very strong advocate for all of my clients working with midwives and doulas. I know how much you do for my clients in ways that I, and other providers, cannot. Your work is invaluable!
I also know, that as birth workers, you are walking a fine line with birthing people. They need to be able to advocate for themselves but if they feel they cannot speak, you’re often the first to be blamed.
Birth trauma is often equated with something done by medical providers, namely OBs and nurses, when in fact anyone can play a role in a person’s experience of a moment as trauma. I want you to be armed with the knowledge so that you consciously know how to facilitate healing.

After this 60-minute workshop, you'll walk away knowing...

What birth trauma is and is not (you’ll be surprised how many myths are still being perpetuated by professionals and birthing people!)

How to identify if a client has experienced birth trauma (even if they have no memory of the experience)

Questions to ask your client in your birth planning meetings to prevent retraumatization in the delivery room

The top 3 things all birth workers need to stop doing with clients who have a history of birth trauma, and what to do instead.

As an integrative high-risk pregnancy specialist and somatic trauma professional, I see the effects of birth trauma in various aspects of life, from the development of chronic health issues to challenges with breastfeeding and attachment, and so much more.

As a birthworker you have the uniquely powerful position of being on the front lines to protect your clients from experiencing birth trauma, even inside of an imperfect medical system.

With a deeper understanding of the biology of trauma (don’t worry I won’t get too nerdy on you!), you will have the tools to support your client at the time of delivery in a way no one else in the room will be able to. Imagine what that will do to her physical and emotional healing, their bond with theri child, and their health long term.

You get to offer that to them!

Imagine...

The confidence you'll feel the next time someone with a birth trauma history hires you for their birth, and you are ready to support them in a way that can provide a deeply healing experience in their next birth.

How many more referrals you'll receive when clients learn that you know when "I'm feeling anxious" is anxiety and when it's trauma.

Approximately 1 in 3 births are reported as traumatic. And we all know how infrequently this goes reported. So you have already and will continue to work with clients to support them through birth after trauma.

Ready to expand your skill set to best support them?

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Parijat has a unique gift in being able to connect with her audience. Her energy and passion for topics on health definitely come through. In addition, her inclusion of real-life examples all work together to create a fun and dynamic experience for people fo all ages and backgrounds in attendance.

Dr. David Gard | Psychology Professor, San Francisco State University

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Parijat is more than just a great speaker, she's an incredibly talented storyteller. The anecdotes she told breathed life into concepts that at first seemed abstract and meaningless. .

- Diana, former student

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Parijat has a very natural style of explaining the subject that feels almost as if you are having a conversation with a very well-educated friend. She engaged the crowd with a variety of case studies that she has experienced wile practicing in the field.

- Suraja, workshop attendee

I don't have a high-risk pregnancy but I am very anxious during this pregnancy? Can I still take your course?

Yes absolutely! While women who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, pregnancy after loss, pregnancy after infertility or pregnancy after prematurity are at higher risk for anxiety, stress and depression during pregnancy, you will definitely benefit from the course even if you have a low-risk pregnancy and are feeling anxious.
I've already tried a bunch of mindfulness apps. How is this any different?

Most of these mindfulness apps miss a critical piece of the puzzle, which the concept of safety. If the apps haven't taught you how to move through fight/flight/freeze and come back to a feeling of safety in your body, that's likely why they haven't been as helpful as you'd hoped. The Pregnancy Brain Course is your introductory course to helping you feel safe again so you feel less anxious and improve the health of your pregnancy.
I already have Pregnancy Brain your book. How is this any different?

The book is not a replacement for the course. There is a difference between reading about what's possible and processing it intellectually, and actually experiencing the impact of improved nervous system health and stress/anxiety release. Additionally, there are tools, techniques and additional content in the course that are not in the book. If you've read the book and are left wondering, "Now what?" or "How do I stay on track with this to actually see results?" then this course will be perfect for you.
Is this the only resource I need to release stress during my pregnancy?

The Pregnancy Brain Course is a great foundational step to lay the groundwork to experience less anxiety, lowered stress, and improved mood if you don't currently have pregnancy complications. If you do have pregnancy complications and/or are looking for personalized support, you will want to join my private 1:1 program, Path to Baby.
Is this program going to teach me how to heal my past trauma and losses?

No, and there's a reason for that! Deep healing work should be done in a way that is very specific to your body and your health during pregnancy. The delicate balance that your body keeps between your nervous system, endocrine system and immune suystem to maintain a healthy pregnancy can be easily altered with deep healing work if the tools and strategies you use are not tailored to your specific body. The Pregnancy Brain Course is designed specifically to help you feel safe during pregnancy - to give your body the necessary and frequent rest and reprieve from the anxiety of your pregnancy. If you find that your pregnancy is triggering trauma from your previous high-risk pregnancy, I highly recommend the Path to Baby program for you instead, which is personalized to your body, and your health.
Will there be new content every day for 6 months?

Oh no! That is far too much new material to try all at once. The course is designed intentioanlly with pre-determined rest days, catch up days and breaks so that you do not overload your system. Progress is seen in these days of rest and in the repetition of the techniques you'll learn.
How long does this course go for?

This is a self-paced course and you will receive emails every day for 24 days. Then you will receive 5 extra months to access the materials. You will have access to the course material for a total of 6 months.
How much time is this going to take?

The exercises themselves don't take more than 15 minutes at a time. You'll be encouraged to do them multiple times per day, but most are simple enough that you can do them almost anywhere. You'll receive emails every day for 24 days about this course and you will have access to the course materials for 6 months.
Can I talk to Parijat during this course?

This is a self-paced, virtual course that does not include a live component. If you'd like more personalized support, please review the Path to Baby program.