How To Deal With Grief and Trauma
You can't go through life without experiencing loss and trauma the question is how do we deal and live with the grief and pain? Join Nathalie Himmelrich, grief expert and author, talking to people who have experienced grief and trauma first-hand. If you want to be inspired by others who traveled through their grief and trauma, found that healing is possible, and came out the other end knowing they can survive and thrive in life after loss. For more info: www.nathaliehimmelrich.com
How To Deal With Grief and Trauma
171 The Many Faces of Trauma | Medical & Birth Trauma: When Help Hurts
Medical and birth trauma can happen when care meant to help also involves fear, helplessness, loss of control, or violations of consent and dignity. In this episode, we explore why “routine” experiences can still leave lasting nervous system imprints, especially when a person feels rushed, unheard, exposed, or powerless. Using simple polyvagal-informed language, we look at fight/flight and shutdown responses in medical settings, common aftereffects like avoidance of care or panic in clinics, and practical ways to reclaim choice. We close with a grounding practice that emphasises resourcing and choice—two key ingredients for nervous system safety.
In this episode, you’ll learn
- What medical and birth trauma is (beyond outcomes)
- Why consent, choice, and dignity are central nervous-system needs
- Polyvagal-informed patterns: mobilised protection vs shutdown in medical contexts
- Common signs (non-diagnostic): avoidance of care, panic in clinics, distrust, shame, disconnection
- What helps: reclaiming small choices, support scripts, debriefing, gentle body reconnection, trauma-informed support
- A short grounding practice focused on resourcing and choice
Grounding practice (2–3 minutes): “Resourced Breath + Choice Point”
- Bring to mind a neutral-to-good resource image
- Choose one breathing option (choice matters)
- Say: “Right now, I have choices” + name one small supportive choice
- Hand-on-body support: “Thank you, body, for protecting me.”
Check the website for the free resources offered for both those affected by trauma and those supporting them.
What’s next: When the Environment Is the Threat: Chronic Stress Without an Exit
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