EMDR & trauma therapy · specialism in birth trauma
Birth trauma:
The birth broke something inside you that hasn’t healed yet.
You’re home. The birth is over. And yet there’s something you can’t quite put behind you. Perhaps images keep flashing back, or you notice it’s affecting the way you look at your child.
Your nervous system hasn’t been able to process something fully. EMDR helps you to process it now, in a targeted way and without a long waiting list.
Free introductory session of approx. 20 minutes, with no obligation
You know something isn’t quite right
Everyone says you should be happy
A traumatic birth doesn’t necessarily have to involve an emergency caesarean section or resuscitation. For many women, it was something else. The feeling that nobody was listening. That decisions about your body were being made without you. The pain that was more than you could bear. The moment when you lost control.
And the outside world says: but the baby is healthy, isn’t it?
As if that were supposed to make up for everything.
- You find yourself thinking back to certain moments without meaning to. They pop into your head when you least expect them.
- You avoid talking about childbirth or about having another baby.
- You find it hard to really enjoy your child without the birth getting in the way.
- You’re more easily irritated than you were before giving birth, even when there’s no particular reason.
- You feel ashamed or guilty, even though you know it wasn’t your fault.
- You’re not sleeping well. Or you’re dreaming about what happened.
You’re not overreacting.
These are signs that your nervous system hasn’t been able to process something.
Why it sticks
Why it doesn’t go away on its own
During labour, your nervous system is on high alert. Your body releases stress hormones, your focus narrows, and you go into survival mode.
Normally, the brain processes a traumatic experience in the days that follow. But sometimes it fails to do so. The memory is then not stored as something that is over and done with. It is stored as something that still looms.
That explains the flashbacks, startle responses and avoidance. You’re not overreacting, nor are you being overly sensitive. These are signs that your nervous system hasn’t been able to process something fully.
And that is exactly what EMDR tackles.
How it works
How EMDR works in cases of trauma
- 1You briefly activate the memoryIn a safe environment, we’ll briefly revisit the traumatic memory. You don’t need to go into every detail.
- 2You are following a distracting stimulusAt the same time, using VR glasses or an online EMDR platform, you follow a movement with your eyes.
- 3Your brain processes it againThis causes the memory to be stored in a new way. The emotional impact diminishes.
- 4The memory touches you in a different wayIt doesn’t disappear, but it doesn’t affect you in the same way anymore. You get some breathing space again.
What this could mean for you
- The flashbacks diminish or disappear
- You look at your child without the birth getting in the way
- Fear of another pregnancy becomes manageable
- You can talk about giving birth without getting tongue-tied
For a straightforward birth trauma, an average of 3 to 8 sessions is required. In more complex situations, or if there is a history of trauma, more sessions may be needed. During the intake, we will discuss your situation and draw up a plan together.
Take the first step
An intake is free of charge and without obligation.
In around 20 minutes, we’ll discuss together whether EMDR is right for you.
Who is this for?
Who is this suitable for?
You can contact Moms&More for EMDR following childbirth, regardless of how long ago it took place. Some women get in touch weeks after giving birth. Others only come forward years later, when they are considering a second pregnancy, or when they realise that the birth is still taking its toll.
You don’t need to have an official PTSD diagnosis. If you feel that the birth has left its mark on you, that’s reason enough.
Practical information
How it works
Moms&More offers one-off sessions. There’s no set programme, and no long-term commitment that you have to commit to in full beforehand. Each session lasts 50 minutes. Online or in person, whichever suits you best.
We always start with a 20-minute introductory consultation. During this session, we’ll discuss whether EMDR is suitable for your situation and I’ll explain what you can expect. This consultation is free of charge and there’s no obligation.
Reimbursement. Psychosocial therapy and EMDR may be (partially) reimbursed under your Dutch supplementary health insurance. This varies depending on your insurer and policy. Please check with your insurer to see if treatment at Moms&More is covered by your Dutch supplementary insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's about EMDR for birth trauma
A 50-minute session costs €97. Psychosocial therapy and EMDR are (partially) covered by many Dutch supplementary health insurance policies.
We can usually schedule the first session within 3 to 4 weeks. There is currently no long waiting list.
The intake is free of charge and there is no obligation. You decide for yourself if, and when, you want to start. This consultation lasts approximately 20 minutes and can take place online or at the practice in Woerdense Verlaat.
There is no time limit. Some women start treatment weeks after giving birth. Others only do so years later, when the symptoms begin to interfere with a subsequent pregnancy or their daily lives. EMDR is also effective for memories that date back a long time.
No. EMDR works by triggering a memory. You don’t have to reconstruct anything in full. You decide for yourself what you want to share.
Yes. Online EMDR has been proven to be effective. We use eye movements via the screen. You will need a laptop or desktop computer with a camera and headphones, and a quiet environment. Most clients find there is no difference compared to an in-person session.
That is precisely the pattern you see in birth trauma. The memory has not been properly processed and therefore remains active. For EMDR, it makes little difference how old the memory is.
That is certainly possible and quite common. During the initial consultation, we’ll work together to identify the issues at hand and decide where best to start.
Who you work with
Let me help you
My name is Nikolien Martina. I am a qualified and registered psychosocial therapist, specialising in trauma and EMDR.
Moms&More is my practice specifically for mothers. I know that motherhood requires a specialised approach. The way childbirth affects you, and the impact it leaves behind, calls for someone who understands that world.
I’m going to ask the question you’ve been avoiding for a while now.
What others are saying
Stories from mothers who have gone before you
The images of the birth kept coming back to me every day. After a few sessions of EMDR, the weight has lifted. I can now look at my daughter without feeling as though I’m back in that delivery room.
I thought I was just being dramatic, because the baby was healthy after all. Nikolien took it seriously. For the first time, I felt that what I’d been through was valid, and that things could change.
You don’t have to do this on your own
You don’t have to carry this burden any longer
An intake is free of charge and without obligation. Together, we’ll assess whether EMDR is suitable for your situation and what you can expect.
Would you prefer to ask a question first? Send a WhatsApp-message or contact me.
May be (partially) covered by your Dutch supplementary health insurance