Birth is a significant life event and generally a happy one. Although labor is often challenging, it can also be empowering, with mothers experiencing elation and strength. Unfortunately, for other women, birth can be difficult, can be overwhelming, and can lead to psychological trauma. Some women may experience depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following their births. These effects can last for years and can cause difficulties in women’s relationships with their partners and their babies. Difficult births can also negatively affect breastfeeding. This article describes the prevalence of PTSD after childbirth and summarizes the symptoms so that International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) can help recognize it and refer mothers to appropriate resources.

Difficulty with breastfeeding in the newborn and new mother population is all too common, and too little is known about the type of healthcare assistance most relevant to these families. Therefore, 18 mothers were interviewed for their experiences with suboptimal breastfeeding and their perceptions of the healthcare they had received for the problem. These mothers attended an interdisciplinary breastfeeding clinic (midwifery and chiropractic) on the south coast of England. The goal of this study was to better understand mothers’ preferences in healthcare resources to facilitate the most efficient and effective assistance to improve breastfeeding for mothers and infants. The main themes were that mothers desired ongoing reassurance and contextualized, nonconflicting advice that was specific to their baby.