I hate the fact that trauma is potentially part of childbirth.  It isn't spoken about nearly enough in natural birth circles.  The fact is that no matter what we do, some mothers are going to be traumatized by their birth experiences.  We work so hard to make that a vanishing reality, but it can happen.  WHY?  It often has to do with previous traumas that we may not even be completely aware of.  If your life has had some bad experiences things like vulnerability, feeling powerless, overwhelming sensations, etc...can all potentially trigger older memories.  These things are likely to happen in labor on some level.  What we do with the mental/emotional responses to those issues can be HUGE in how we handle labor.  For some moms it is a previous birth experience, for others it is childhood events of abuse or even just overwhelming fear.  So what do we do?  WE prepare ourselves mentally, spiritually and emotionally for the experience.  We understand from the start that this is possible, just like a major hurtle in an obstacle course, we make a plan for how to handle this should it come up.  We pray through the traumas of the past and do our best to put them to rest in the arms of Jesus before we even get to them.  If there is a trigger point you know of from the past start working through it from the perspective of NOT underplaying it, but giving yourself the space and freedom to release that trauma to God and leave it to His hands.  If triggers come up during labor that must be dealt with quickly just like an attack from the enemy - we don't slump down in loss and grief when we have a race to run right now...we must shove that thing aside and run on.   So now is the time to start strengthening any part that you know could get out of control, because we all know we can't control labor - it is something our body does and it can feel like it is completely OUT OF CONTROL.  Reframe that thinking to trusting God and trusting the body he designed.  It is way to easy to allow yourself to start thinking something is wrong, or even "I'm dying".  So work through those fears now and do not welcome in a spirit of Fear.  Birth is a party that FEAR is NEVER welcome to attend!!!  God bless us, every one!  You can do great things and overcoming your past traumas is part of that.