Why Birth Trauma Doesn’t End At The Hospital
Being a parent is amazing, but it can be super tough when your little one is struggling with health issues. You’ve probably been to a ton of doctor’s appointments, tried different treatments, and maybe even explored therapies, all to find answers that seem impossible to get. If you’re feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, you’re definitely not alone.
Ever Heard of Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma might be something you haven’t heard of before, but it could be the missing link in figuring out your child’s health challenges. Basically, it means physical injuries that can happen during birth, often because of things like forceps, vacuum extraction, or C-sections. Doctors sometimes brush these injuries off as “normal,” but they can actually have a big impact on your child’s nervous system as they grow.
Think about it: around 30% of babies in the U.S. are born via C-section! And that’s just one way birth trauma can happen. When you add in assisted deliveries with forceps or vacuum extraction, the numbers get even higher. In our practice in Orland Park, we see a lot of kids with ongoing health issues that started with complications during birth.
How Birth Trauma Affects Your Child
Here’s a simple breakdown of how birth trauma can impact your child’s health:
- Ouch! The physical trauma happens in the upper neck and brainstem area, which is super delicate.
- Nervous System Overload: This injury stresses out the central nervous system, kind of like putting it in “fight-or-flight” mode.
- Vagus Nerve Trouble: The trauma impacts the vagus nerve, which is important for things like digestion and immunity, and birth trauma can mess with how it works.
- Things Get Out of Whack: The bones in the upper neck can get misaligned, which puts even more stress on the nervous system.
- Ongoing Health Issues: If this misalignment and nervous system stress aren’t fixed, your child might keep having health problems.
The “Perfect Storm”
Birth trauma doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It teams up with other stressful things and stuff in your child’s environment to create what we call the “Perfect Storm.” This can overwhelm their nervous system and lead to things like:
- Tummy troubles and digestion issues
- Sleep problems
- Trouble with development
- Sensory sensitivities (like being bothered by loud noises or bright lights)
- A weaker immune system
- Behavioral challenges
- Trouble learning
- Ear infections that just won’t go away
- Asthma and allergies
It’s Not Just Physical
Birth trauma isn’t just about physical injuries. The emotional stress that both mama and baby go through during a difficult birth can also have long-term effects. Things like being separated right after birth, trouble with breastfeeding, and the stress of medical interventions can all play a part.
Signs Your Child Might Be Affected
Every child is different, but here are some clues that your little one might be dealing with the effects of birth trauma:
- Trouble with nursing or latching on as a baby
- Always wanting to turn their head to one side
- Tummy troubles or spitting up a lot
- Lots of ear infections
- Reaching developmental milestones a little later
- Sensory sensitivities
- Trouble sleeping
- Behavioral issues or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or learning
If any of this sounds familiar, it might be worth looking into whether birth trauma could be playing a role in your child’s current nervous system dysregulation.
A New Way to Heal
If you’re tired of doctors just treating the symptoms and not getting to the root of the problem, it’s time for a new approach! You have the power to help your child by addressing the underlying cause of their challenges.
Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care Can Help
At Health From Within in Orland Park, we focus on finding and fixing misalignments in the upper neck and brainstem (AKA subluxation). We use cool technology like INSiGHT scans to see how your child’s nervous system is doing and give gentle, specific adjustments that are just right for them.
This special type of care can:
- Help the upper neck bones get back in line and improve nervous system function
- Boost your child’s natural ability to heal
- Get to the root of those ongoing health issues
- Support their overall development and well-being
You’re your child’s biggest advocate! By understanding and addressing birth trauma, you’re taking a huge step towards helping your child be their healthiest and happiest.
Ready to start your child’s journey to better health? Get in touch with Health From Within in Orland Park, IL today! If you’re not near us, check out the PX Docs directory to find an office close by. Let’s work together to help your child thrive!