Is EMDR Safe in Pregnancy? What the Research and Clinical Practice Say

Many people wonder whether EMDR is safe in pregnancy, especially when they're already feeling vulnerable and the thought of revisiting difficult memories feels daunting.

The short answer is: yes, EMDR can be safe in pregnancy when it's delivered by a trained, pregnancy-informed therapist. The research so far is reassuring, but it is limited, and EMDR isn't right for everyone.

In this article, I'll explain what EMDR is, what the research says about EMDR during pregnancy, how it's adapted, and when it may not be the right choice. I'm a birth trauma therapist in Bristol, and I regularly work with pregnant clients.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps people process distressing experiences that feel "stuck". It's widely used for trauma, PTSD and birth-related trauma, including experiences during pregnancy and childbirth.

You don't have to talk through events in detail. EMDR helps your brain reprocess difficult memories so they become less intense and stop triggering the same level of distress in the present. Many people describe the memories as feeling further away, less vivid, or less overwhelming over time.

Is EMDR Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, with the right approach. Whether EMDR is a good fit depends on:

• the therapist's training and experience with pregnancy and perinatal trauma
• how stable you feel right now, and what coping resources you have
• the type of trauma you're living with
• the stage of your pregnancy and any medical considerations

You may have heard that EMDR isn't recommended in pregnancy. Some therapists were trained to avoid it, based on a brief line in the original EMDR manual (Shapiro, 2018). Research since then has explored the question directly, and it doesn't support a blanket "avoid".

What Does the Research Say About EMDR in Pregnancy?

Research into EMDR during pregnancy is still emerging, but the findings so far are largely reassuring.

Trauma-focused therapy in pregnancy. A review by Arch et al. (2012) asked whether exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapies are safe during pregnancy. The authors found no evidence that appropriately delivered trauma-focused therapy increases risk to the pregnancy, and stressed the importance of treating significant mental health difficulties rather than avoiding therapy altogether.

EMDR for fear of childbirth. A large multi-centre randomised controlled trial (Baas et al., 2021) tested EMDR for pregnant women with severe fear of childbirth. It found that EMDR significantly reduced fear and trauma symptoms, with no indication of harm. A follow-up study by the same group looked at obstetric outcomes and found no increase in adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes compared with control groups (Baas et al., 2023).

Treating PTSD in pregnancy. A systematic review (Baas et al., 2020) found that trauma-focused treatment, including EMDR, can reduce PTSD symptoms without negatively affecting pregnancy outcomes. The authors also highlighted that leaving PTSD untreated may carry greater risks than carefully adapted therapy.

EMDR after stillbirth. In a study of women who had previously had a stillbirth, EMDR significantly reduced childbirth anxiety, with no adverse effects related to pregnancy reported (Zolghadr et al., 2019).

The limits of the evidence. Pregnant women have often been excluded from research, so studies are smaller and fewer. Much of the research so far focuses on fear of childbirth, and more is needed on other trauma experiences. This doesn't undermine the findings, but it does mean that decisions should be individual and made with a skilled clinician.

Why Avoiding Trauma Treatment Isn't Always Safer

It's natural to worry about the risks of therapy. It's also worth thinking about what happens when trauma isn't treated. Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance and sudden panic can happen at any time, without warning or support. In pregnancy they can intensify, as body sensations, medical appointments and thoughts of birth act as triggers.

In EMDR, exposure is gradual and paced, you stay in control, and grounding comes first. That's very different from distress that arrives suddenly and uncontained.

How I Adapt EMDR for Pregnancy

• Spend longer on stabilisation and grounding before any trauma processing begins
• Use shorter sets and slower pacing, checking in often
• Pay close attention to your body, including sensations related to pregnancy
• Work collaboratively, with your consent at every step, and you can pause or stop whenever you need to
• Reassess regularly as your pregnancy progresses

Wondering whether EMDR could help you? If you're pregnant and living with trauma, you're welcome to get in touch with a question. We can talk through your situation and whether EMDR, or another approach, might be the right fit, with no pressure to book. Get in touch here.

When EMDR May Not Be the Right Choice During Pregnancy

EMDR isn't one-size-fits-all. A thorough assessment is essential, and it may be better to wait, or to use a different approach, if:

• you're experiencing severe dissociation
• you don't yet have enough stability or coping resources, and need more preparation first
• the trauma is particularly complex, and needs a slower, phased approach

None of these means you can't have help. They mean the way we work needs to fit you.

Alternatives to EMDR in Pregnancy

If EMDR isn't the right choice now, other trauma-informed approaches may help, depending on your needs:

• Stabilisation work, to build calm and coping skills first
• Trauma-informed talking therapy, including CBT
• Parts-based approaches, which work with the different reactions inside you
• Body-based (somatic) approaches, for when your body feels on high alert

A good therapist will help you decide which approach, and which timing, is right for you.

EMDR for Birth Trauma and Pregnancy After Loss

Many people carry trauma from a previous birth or loss into a new pregnancy. Scans, appointments and the thought of labour can bring it all back. EMDR is widely used for birth-related trauma, and the stillbirth study above suggests it may help with anxiety in a pregnancy after loss.

If this is part of your story, you may find my article on grief after baby loss at any stage helpful. You can also read more about trauma focussed CBT and EMDR therapy in Bristol.

EMDR and Pregnancy: Common Questions

Can EMDR harm my baby?

Research so far hasn't found an increase in adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes when EMDR is delivered by a trained clinician (Baas et al., 2023). The evidence is reassuring but limited, which is why individual assessment matters.

Is bilateral stimulation safe in pregnancy?

Bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, taps or sounds, is a core part of EMDR, so the studies above included it. It's gentle, and we can adapt or adjust it to what feels comfortable for you.

Can EMDR be used for birth trauma during pregnancy?

Yes. EMDR is widely used for birth-related trauma, including trauma from a previous birth that resurfaces in a new pregnancy. A careful assessment and plenty of grounding come first.

Is EMDR suitable for all pregnant women?

No. We'd look at your trauma history, current stability, stage of pregnancy and any medical considerations to decide whether EMDR or another approach is right for you.

What if I'm having flashbacks or anxiety before starting therapy?

Trauma symptoms can appear without warning. EMDR offers a paced, client-led way to work on them. If you're struggling right now, speak to your midwife, GP or NHS 111, or contact Samaritans on 116 123.

Are there alternatives to EMDR during pregnancy?

Yes. Stabilisation work, CBT, parts-based and body-based approaches may all be appropriate, depending on your needs.

Is there enough research to be completely confident?

The studies so far are reassuring, but research is still limited because pregnant women have historically been underrepresented in trials. That's why individual assessment and a skilled therapist matter.

Thinking About EMDR in Pregnancy? Let's Talk

If you're pregnant and wondering whether EMDR is right for you, speaking with a trauma-informed therapist can help you make a safe, informed decision. You don't need a diagnosis, and you don't need to have everything worked out.

You can learn more about my work, or get in touch to ask a question or book a consultation.

This article is for information and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Please speak to your midwife, GP or obstetric team about anything related to your pregnancy.

About the author
I'm a birth trauma and baby loss therapist in Bristol, offering EMDR, CBT and IPT. I work with people during and after pregnancy, including after loss and difficult births.

Last updated: 05.10.26

References

Arch, J. J., Dimidjian, S. and Chessick, C. (2012) Are exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapies safe during pregnancy? Archives of Women's Mental Health, 15(6), 445–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0308-9

Baas, M. A. M., van Pampus, M. G., Braam, L., Stramrood, C. A. I. and de Jongh, A. (2020) The effects of PTSD treatment during pregnancy: systematic review and case study. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1762310. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1762310

Baas, M. A. M., van Pampus, M. G., Stramrood, C. A. I., Dijksman, L. M., Vanhommerig, J. W. and de Jongh, A. (2021) Treatment of pregnant women with fear of childbirth using EMDR therapy: results of a multi-center randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 798249. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.798249

Baas, M. A. M., Stramrood, C. A. I., Dijksman, L. M., Vanhommerig, J. W., de Jongh, A. and van Pampus, M. G. (2023) How safe is the treatment of pregnant women with fear of childbirth using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy? Obstetric outcomes of a multi-center randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14628

Shapiro, F. (2018) EMDR: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. 3rd edn. New York: Guilford Press.

Zolghadr, N., Khoshnazar, A., Moradi Baglooei, M. and Alimoradi, Z. (2019) The effect of EMDR on childbirth anxiety of women with previous stillbirth. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.1.10

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