While still in the hospital, a
woman who has experienced
birth trauma will be surrounded
by stimuli related to the event.
Signs of distress can be physical
(tachycardia, perspiration)
or can manifest as irritability,
fear or unwillingness to comply
with requests. She may show an
exaggerated startle response to
stimuli. Stimuli that can trigger
distress include alarms with
beeping or other sounds, medical
instruments, medical professionals
who were present during
the trauma, family members who
were present during the trauma,
the baby, bright lights, smells
and procedures.