EDUCATION · COMMUNITY · SUPPORT

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The Birth Trauma Mama is a platform and community created by a survivor, for survivors. Whether you’re processing a traumatic birth, supporting a loved one, or a provider seeking to deliver more compassionate care, you’re in the right place.

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Grounded in advanced trauma training, including EMDR and IFS, with a specialized focus on perinatal mental health.

Clinical Expertise

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As a survivor of an Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Kayleigh brings firsthand understanding to every conversation.

Lived Experience

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Every offering is built around connection, because healing happens when no one has to navigate it alone.

Community First

MEET KAYLEIGH

The person behind the platform

Kayleigh Summers, LCSW, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker, private practice owner, and nationally recognized speaker specializing in perinatal trauma. After surviving an Amniotic Fluid Embolism, she experienced the isolation that so many survivors face, and built this space so no one else has to.

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1 in 3

individuals report their birthing experience as traumatic. You are not a statistic, and you don't have to carry this alone.

SERVICES

How I Can Support You

From one-on-one consultations to live workshops, speaking engagements, and facilitated support groups, every service is designed to bring validation, education, and connection to those affected by birth trauma.

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Consultations

Personalized guidance for survivors, partners, families, and providers navigating birth trauma and trauma-informed care.

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Workshops

Interactive learning experiences blending education, reflection, and practical tools for healing and support.

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Support Groups

Facilitated spaces where survivors connect, share openly, and explore coping strategies in a safe environment.

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Speaking Engagements

Keynotes and conference sessions on birth trauma, patient experience, and compassionate communication.

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UNDERSTANDING BIRTH TRAUMA

Questions You Might Be Carrying

  • There are many different factors that can lead to a traumatic birthing experience. Some traumas are related to the care received and treatment provided, while others are related to the death, near-death, or health of you and/or your baby. Anything distressing that occurs related to TTC, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum can lead to trauma.

  • Symptoms of birth trauma typically include distressing feelings — grief, terror, anger — towards pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. You may find yourself trying to avoid thoughts of your pregnancy or birth, or anything that reminds you of it. These feelings can be overwhelming and affect your ability to function. Nightmares and flashbacks are also common symptoms, but are not required for your birth to be considered traumatic.

  • There is no hierarchy in trauma. Trauma is trauma, and your birth trauma is valid. It doesn’t matter how much worse it could have been — it was bad enough to traumatize you.

  • This is very common following a traumatic birth. You can hate the day your baby was born and still love your baby. The two feelings are not connected. This is what makes birth trauma uniquely painful — the trauma happens on a day that was supposed to be one of the best days of your life.

  • Birth trauma can often disrupt the bond between you and your baby. This is unfortunately common after birth trauma. You are not a bad parent, and you will eventually bond — sometimes it just takes a bit longer after trauma.

  • Yes. Although it may feel impossible right now, with proper support and treatment, you will begin to heal. That path looks different for everyone, but often includes support communities, therapy, and/or medication.

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A Growing Community of Support

  • "It was wonderful!! So well done, Kayleigh! I could listen to you talk for hours. And I praise you for being able to talk others through the choice of pregnancy after BT when you didn't even get that choice yourself. You're amazing. Thank you"

  • "Thank you so much for making this workshop available to those that couldn't make the group session work. I know it won't be the same but the info was so helpful and my partner got to listen too, he was also traumatized. Thank you for making me feel better about letting my fear and anxiety also being a part but not a whole deciding factor of our decision to have another baby bc it is valid. I have heard don't let fear steer, or rule your life from professionals and people I'm close to so many times I almost started to think I was the problem."

  • "Hi! Just wanted to let you know l am an obstetric anesthesia fellow in who came across your videos randomly a few weeks ago, which primed me to be ready to call our emo team within 5 minutes of cardiac arrest in an AFE three weeks ago. I think my seeing your video is the reason I thought to activate ECMO as quickly as I did and why that patient is alive and doing well 🫶 thank you for your advocacy."

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Looking for Therapy?

The Birth Trauma Mama offers education, consultation, and community support, but it is not a therapy practice. If you’re located in Pennsylvania or Florida and are looking for therapy services, Kayleigh’s clinical practice may be the right fit.

Visit Holding Hope Perinatal
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You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Whether you’re looking for one-on-one support, want to join a community of survivors, or are a provider looking to bring trauma-informed care into your practice, I’d love to hear from you.

Reach out using the form below, or book a consultation directly.

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