TW: History of sexual assault: Pregnancy and giving birth experiences
I’m hoping to get pregnant soon, but honestly, the whole idea of pregnancy and birth is quite stressful for me. I have a history of sexual assault in my teenage years, and routine gynaecological exams cause me extreme pain and distress. The idea of pregnancy means a lot of potential triggers: many examinations, people touching my body, and feeling like I’m losing control over my body.
The thing I fear most is the idea of vaginal birth. But I really want to have a child and experience the mother-child relationship (breastfeeding, being the primary caretaker, bond)
For those with a similar history, what was pregnancy and birth like for you? How did you find the overall pregnancy experience? Did you have a vaginal birth or opt for a planned C-section?