April 27, 2011, the state of Alabama was hit by 62 tornadoes.
We lived here then and had 3 little kids and one on the way. I can tell you a lot about that day- the way it smelled outside, the way my daughter came home from school with holes all through her sweatshirt that she chewed in the hall during one of the tornadoes.
Late in the day, after another tornado swept through just 3/4 of a mile from our house, we lost power. It didn’t come back on for 5 days.
Because we live where we do, we have a high volume of severe weather threats/warnings. Almost 11 years after April 27, 2011, you’d think I’d get used to them. But, they still make me anxious.
I have a pretty predictable “storm” day schedule. It involves a lot of cleaning, laundry, and charging of appliances, getting our safe room cleaned and ready (the bathroom.)
While there’s nothing I can do, my anxiety would tell you otherwise. And after a decade, I’ve realized it’s easier to just let myself clean the house and prepare to go without power than it is to tell myself to stop or that it’s stupid to worry.
If you are someone who is giving birth after trauma (birth, loss, or otherwise) you may find yourself making decisions from a similar mindset. You may attempt to control what you feel you can because that’s what makes you feel safe.
If you’ve experienced trauma, it isn’t stupid to worry. Because you’ve experienced something big that changed your perspective.
You can be reassured that your RCD is on your side and will support you in whatever decisions you make. We will be right by your side as you make them.
