Edmonton psychologist supporting those suffering from birth trauma after near-death experience

In April of 2021, Teela Tomassetti had a plan for the birth of her daughter, at home, in water, with a midwife team. None of those plans came to pass.

“Excessive hemorrhage that caused a significant amount of blood loss and then required blood transfusions, and almost a week in the hospital,” said Tomassetti.

Birth trauma is describes those nearly 45 per cent of women who say their birthing experience was painful and terrifying. One in nine women display symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Tomassetti is a registered provisional psychologist, and recognized her symptoms quickly.

“The flashbacks that were happening, the nightmares, intrusive thoughts, the anxiety, the shame, the guilt…I started to immediately recognize that this was trauma. And so it helped me, having that lens, whereas most people don’t,” said Tomassetti.

Tomassetti started an Instagram page – the Tea on Birth Trauma – in hopes of connecting with others who might have a similar experience. Two years later, the page now has 20 thousand followers.

“I just didn’t want people to feel alone. And I’m a firm believer that it’s through connection and shared experience, that that’s how we heal. And so it’s not always necessarily going to be a therapist that’s supporting people through it, but just other people who understand your experience on a deeper level.”

This weekend marks the very first balance after birth trauma wellness retreat. Tomassetti gathered sponsors and raised enough money to send 15 birth trauma survivors to the retreat she’s created.

The 15 slots were taken within two minutes of being available, the waitlist is hundreds of people long. The retreat will involve a workshop with Tomassetti, sound baths, yoga, a stay at a hotel, and most importantly to Tomassetti – connection.

“I just want them to have an opportunity, without finances in their minds, to just heal with one another.”