The hidden cost of birth trauma

By Samantha Price, Midwife & Birth Reflections Practitioner

When we think about the cost of childbirth, we often think about practical things, maternity leave, childcare or the financial impact of starting or expanding a family. For some parents, there is another cost that receives far less attention.

As we mark Birth Trauma Awareness Week (13th - 19th July 2026), the Birth Trauma Association's theme this year focuses on the cost of birth trauma. Through its #BirthTraumaCostMe campaign, the charity is shining a light on the often overlooked costs of birth trauma and encouraging people to share the emotional, financial and professional toll it can take. This year’s campaign is informed by the Birth Trauma Associations survey of 903 parents, highlighting the far-reaching impact birth trauma can have on families' lives.

Birth trauma is far more common than many people realise. Research suggests that up to one in three people giving birth in the UK describe some aspect of their birth experience as traumatic. Around 4–5% will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, equivalent to approximately 25,000–30,000 people every year in the UK. 

As a midwife and Birth Reflections practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of supporting many parents as they make sense of their difficult birth experiences. I’ve heard from parents who shared that their maternity, or paternity leave didn’t feel like the time of recovery or bonding they had expected. Some people choose to delay their return to work because of the emotional or physical impact of the birth.

‘I thought I'd be spending my maternity leave getting to know my baby. Instead, I was trying to make sense of what had happened to me.’ – Parent who accessed Peppy's Birth Reflections service

One thing that consistently strikes me is how the effects of birth trauma continue long after the birth itself, and often long after employees return to work. The costs can be emotional, relational, professional and financial. For some families, it may involve several of these things at once.

The emotional cost

For many parents, the most significant cost is the one nobody else can see.

A traumatic or difficult birth can leave people carrying feelings of fear, guilt, grief, anger or loss, long after they have returned home with their baby. Some experience symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress, while others struggle with anxiety, low mood or a loss of confidence. The guilt that can often come with these feelings can mean parents will frequently minimise the experience, or delay seeking support.

Birth trauma is not defined by what happened clinically. It is defined by how the experience was felt and processed by the individual. Two people can experience similar births and leave with very different emotional outcomes.

‘I felt like everyone else had moved on from the birth, but I was still carrying it with me every day.’ – Parent who accessed Peppy's Birth Reflections service

The cost to families and relationships

Birth trauma rarely affects just one person. Partners may also carry difficult memories of the birth, particularly if they witnessed events that felt frightening or beyond their control. Research suggests that around 1% of birth partners develop PTSD following childbirth, highlighting that the impact of birth trauma often extends beyond the person who gave birth. Families can find themselves navigating recovery at the same time as adjusting to life with a newborn, often while running on very little sleep.

The Birth Trauma Association's survey found that 86% of parents said birth trauma had affected their relationship with their partner, highlighting how recovery often extends beyond the individual who gave birth. 

For non-birthing partners, a period of leave that may have been anticipated as a time for bonding and adjusting to life as a family can instead become focused on supporting a loved one's physical and emotional recovery. Many return to work while still processing their own experiences of the birth, and worrying about how their partner is coping.

The cost to careers and working lives

Returning to work after having a baby is a significant transition for any parent. For those recovering from birth trauma, the journey can be more complex.

Employers often invest heavily in supporting employees through fertility, pregnancy and parental leave. But the reality is that some employees return to work carrying experiences they have not yet had the opportunity to process.

Some parents return to work while still processing what happened during the birth. They may be managing anxiety, struggling with confidence, attending appointments or coping with ongoing physical recovery. These challenges can affect wellbeing, confidence at work and, for some, their ability to fully re-engage with work.

Some parents may reduce their hours, delay career progression or feel unable to pursue opportunities they would previously have embraced. Others may simply be working incredibly hard to manage challenges that are invisible to those around them.

These experiences are reflected in the Birth Trauma Association's recent report, where 72% of parents surveyed said birth trauma had affected their work or career. Parents described delaying their return to work, reducing their hours or leaving employment altogether while they recovered from their experiences.

The financial cost

For some families, there is also a financial impact. In the absence of timely or adequate support within the healthcare system, parents may seek additional help. These costs often arise at a time when household finances are already under pressure. Many parents feel they need to access support to make sense of their experience and begin moving forward.

For some families, the financial impact extends beyond the cost of seeking support. The Birth Trauma Association's report found that 64% of parents experienced a financial impact, while over half (51%) had paid privately for treatment or support because they were unable to access the help they needed through NHS services.

The financial impact can also extend beyond any direct costs of support. Time away from work, reduced hours, delayed return to work plans, or changes to career direction can all have long term consequences for family finances.

Why birth trauma is a workplace issue

Birth trauma is often viewed as a healthcare issue, but its impact extends far beyond the healthcare setting.

Employees do not stop being affected by traumatic experiences when they return from parental leave. The psychological, physical and practical consequences can influence how people feel at work, how quickly they regain confidence and, in some cases, whether they remain in employment at all.

It's also important to remember that birth trauma can affect employees returning from paternity or partner leave, not only those who have given birth.

For organisations committed to employee wellbeing, inclusion and retention, understanding birth trauma is an important part of supporting working parents.

Employers do not need to have all the answers. What matters most is creating an environment where parents feel able to speak openly, seek support and access the help they need.

Why conversations matter

One of the most powerful things I see through Birth Reflections is the impact of being given space to talk.

Many parents have never had the opportunity to fully explore their birth experience. They may have unanswered questions or feelings they have never felt able to express. Being listened to without judgement can be an important step in understanding what happened and moving forward.

At Peppy, our Birth Reflections service gives parents access to specialist practitioners who can support them in exploring their experiences, understanding their feelings and accessing appropriate support when needed.

While every parent's journey is different, having access to expert, compassionate support can play an important role in recovery.

‘I also want to say such a huge thank you to you, and what you do. You're the first medical professional I've spoken to about what I went through. You really properly listened to me, gave guidance and advice, and were the first to reassure me that it's alright I couldn't just let go of it.’ - Parent who accessed Peppy’s Birth Reflections service

What employers can do

Birth Trauma Awareness Week is an opportunity for employers to reflect on how they support parents.

This can start with recognising that birth experiences are not the same for everyone, and that some employees return to work carrying experiences they are still processing.

Practical steps might include:

• Creating awareness of birth trauma and how it can affect employees in different ways
• Supporting managers to feel confident and compassionate when approaching conversations with returning parents
• Making sure employees know where and how to access support
• Creating an environment where employees feel able to speak up when they are struggling

When employers acknowledge that some parents may still be processing difficult birth experiences, it can make a real difference to how seen and supported they feel during what can be a very vulnerable time.

BTA, The hidden cost of birth trauma: a report on survey findings, June 2026