Birth Trauma Awareness Dinner to support birth trauma survivors raises $4,000

QUINCY — The inaugural Birth Trauma Awareness Dinner on July 22 to benefit local women raised $4,000.

Event organizer Kala Breder recently presented the proceeds to Callie Asmann, nurse manager at Blessed Beginnings and Jamie Kane, administrative director for Women’s Health and Post-Acute Care Services, to be used by the Blessing Hospital Blessed Beginnings birth center to support birth trauma survivors.

According to the March of Dimes organization, birth trauma is any physical or emotional distress a woman may experience during or after childbirth.

There are many factors — both physical and emotional — that can contribute to birth trauma, including:

• Birth complications, including a vaginal tear or too much bleeding
• Emergency C-section or the use of forceps or other medical devices
• Mother or baby suffers a birth injury

According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 45 percent of new mothers experience birth trauma.

Breder experienced birth trauma with the arrival of her third child in July 2020 by emergency cesarean Section. The birth led to a series of medical complications, including the need for more than 30 units of blood and multiple surgeries, resulting in the need for extensive physical therapy and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Breder said it wasn’t until early 2023 that she felt normal again.

Breder also facilitates the Kaleidoscope Women’s Support Group that meets on the second Wednesday and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in Luther Memorial Church, 1210 Jersey, to help all women deal with life’s challenges.