Breaking the Taboo: Why we need to talk about birth trauma

by Theo Clarke

In an emotional debate in the House of Commons in October 2023, then MP Theo Clarke broke down in tears as she described being rushed into emergency surgery after the birth of her daughter, terrified she was going to die. Amazed at the public response, she quickly realised that although birth trauma is a huge issue, there is still a real taboo around speaking about it. In the UK alone, it's estimated that up to 30,000 women a year suffer bad experiences during the delivery of their babies, with one in twenty developing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result. Despite this, substandard maternity and postnatal care is too often tolerated as normal.

In Breaking the Taboo, as well as telling her own story, Theo presents the experiences of mothers and fathers from different backgrounds that show the undiscussed realities of birth trauma. She also shines a light on what it is like to combine motherhood with a career as an MP, revealing the shocking way new mothers are treated by our political system – something that has serious implications for our democracy.

A gripping memoir of a new mother's experience combined with a powerful call to arms for change, this urgent book will start a conversation that is as essential as it is overdue.

Genres: Memoir

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Jonathan Kemp]

I found this book very insightful — and at times, jaw-dropping. The information it contains would be invaluable for anyone having a child, and especially for partners.

It highlights the challenges of having a baby, and shows that the idealised vision of a perfect birth, a delighted mother, and a “happily ever after” is only one version of the experience. Just as important is understanding what problems can arise, and how best to deal with them — ideally, thinking through these possibilities well before the birth.

Feeling low after giving birth, struggling to bond with your baby, or not being able to breastfeed are all far more common than people realise — and entirely normal.

What I found particularly surprising was the behaviour of some medical staff. Having worked in the public sector myself, I would have been horrified if any of my team had treated a vulnerable person that way — yet it seems this too is a common occurrence before and after birth.

All in all, a fascinating and important read — and one I would thoroughly recommend.

[Michelle Walters]

Excellent. A clear, factual and personal narrative of how the APPG on birth trauma came about and the subsequent report. As a health care professional I was sorry to read about Theo’s birth experience and admire her drive to improve care globally.
Saddening revelations on modem day dysfunction at parliament and life as a female MP.

[Olena]

An incredibly important topic that needs further discussion. Concluding chapters with women's stories about their birth trauma experiences were especially harrowing.

[Turning Pages Turning Heads]

Enjoyed this book. An honest account of how birth trauma can impact a woman physically, socially and emotionally.