Abuse and how it effects childbirth

It's been awhile since I've written. I experienced the toughest birth thus far recently. The mother, a sexual abuse survivor, had intended on taking her secret to the grave with her. It wasn't until after her plans for a natural childbirth ended in a cesarean, that we realized that maybe she was a survivor of abuse, and that is why psychologically she closed her body up vs letting her body open up to birth her baby. We soon asked her about the possibility of abuse and in the end the answer was yes. I am saddened by the fact this special woman has kept such a heavy secret for so many years and sad for her that she had no idea things like this could creep up in a childbirth experience. The good that has come from this, is that she is able to begin freeing herself from this. That I have learned so much and that I am able to further help other women on this topic. It is a tough one. One that many try to forget and never deal with. I don't blame them. However, having the courage to bring it to surface and come free of the pain and burden within them, I admire. If you have suffered from any sort of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse in your life and havne't dealt with it, please do yourself a favor, and confide in someone, free yourself, and take back the power that belongs to you.