Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder

Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder that can develop in women who have recently given birth.^[1] This disorder can also affect men or partners who have observed a difficult birth.^[2] Its symptoms are not distinct from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).^[3][4] It may also be called post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth (PTSD-FC).^[5]

Signs and symptoms

Examples of symptoms of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder include

Other examples of symptoms of paternal childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder include anxiety, or intense fear of losing either the child or their partner who is giving birth to it. This can lead to difficulties in the father-child connection.[2]

Cause

Birth can be traumatic in different ways. Medical problems can result in interventions that can be frightening. The near death of a mother or baby, heavy bleeding, and emergency operations are examples of situations that can cause psychological trauma.

The following are correlated with PTSD:

• Medical complications before, during, or after childbirth:
  • Pregnancy complications^[9]
  • Emergency C-section^[9]
  • Instrumental delivery^[9]
  • Episiotomy^[9]
  • Severe pain during birth^[9]
  • Postpartum complications^[9]
  • Preterm labour^[10][7]
  • History of infertility^[10][11]
  • Inadequate care during labour^[9]
• Social, psychological, and other factors:
  • Unwanted pregnancy^[10][11]
  • Low socioeconomic status^[10][11]
  • Primiparous (first labour)^[10]
  • Parenting (infant caring) problems^[10]
  • Social support following childbirth^[12][13][14]
  • Cultural factors^[12][13][14]
  • History of mental health issues^[9]
  • Other life stressors^[9]

Diagnosis

Childbirth-related PTSD is not a recognized diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.^[3] Many women presenting with symptoms of PTSD after childbirth are misdiagnosed with postpartum depression or adjustment disorders. These diagnoses can lead to inadequate treatment.^[15]

Epidemiology

Prevalence of PTSD following normal childbirth in women (excluding stillbirth or major complications) is estimated to be between 2.8% and 5.6% at six weeks postpartum,^[6] with rates dropping to 1.5% at six months postpartum.^[6][15] Symptoms of PTSD are common following childbirth, with prevalence of 24–30.1%^[6] at six weeks, dropping to 13.6% at six months.^[16]

See also

• Miscarriage
• Pain management during childbirth
• Miscarriage and mental illness

References