Fundraiser on July 18 to support mothers who endure traumatic births

QUINCY — Tickets are available for the Third Birth Trauma Awareness Dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, at Town and Country Inn and Suites.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Birth Trauma Awareness, Inc., a non-profit supporting local mothers who have had a traumatic birth. The goal this year is to purchase ICU care kits to donate to local hospitals.

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

The National Institutes of Health says up to 45% of new mothers experience birth trauma, and the effects can continue long after the birth itself.

As with other forms of trauma, the March of Dimes says unresolved birth trauma can result in low self-esteem, relationship issues, stress and anxiety, panic attacks and other behavioral issues including substance misuse.

The evening will include a buffet dinner catered by Boki’s Kitchen, raffles, live music by Raised on Radio and birth trauma survivor stories. Cost is $55 per person or $400 for a table of eight. To order tickets, visit https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/2025-fundraising-dinner-7.

For questions, contact Kala Breder at 217-257-4224 or by email at brederkala@outlook.com.