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. This disorder can also affect men or partners who have observed a difficult birth. Its symptoms are not distinct from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may also be called post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth (PTSD-FC).
Signs and symptoms
Examples of symptoms of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder include intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, as well as symptoms of avoidance (including amnesia for the whole or parts of the event), problems in developing a mother-child attachment, not having sexual intercourse in order to prevent another pregnancy, and avoidance of birth- and pregnancy-related issues. Symptoms of increasing stress can be sweating, trembling, being irritated, and sleep disturbances.
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.
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. Premature birth may be traumatic.
Emotional difficulties in coping with the pain of childbirth can also cause psychological trauma. Lack of support, or insufficient coping strategies to deal with the pain are examples of situations that can cause psychological trauma. However, even normal birth can be traumatic, and thus PTSD is diagnosed based on symptoms of the mother and not whether or not there were complications.
Additionally, in the process of birth, medical professionals who are there to aid the birthing mother may need to examine and perform procedures in the genital regions.
The following are correlated with PTSD:
Medical complications before, during, or after childbirth:
Pregnancy complications
Emergency C-section
Instrumental delivery
Episiotomy
Severe pain during birth
Postpartum complications
Preterm labour
History of infertility
Inadequate care during labour
Social, psychological, and other factors:
Unwanted pregnancy
Low socioeconomic status
Primiparous (first labour)
Parenting (infant caring) problems
Social support following childbirth
Cultural factors
History of mental health issues
Other life stressors
Diagnosis
Childbirth-related PTSD is not a recognized diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Many women presenting with symptoms of PTSD after childbirth are misdiagnosed with postpartum depression or adjustment disorders. These diagnoses can lead to inadequate treatment.
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, with rates dropping to 1.5% at six months postpartum. Symptoms of PTSD are common following childbirth, with prevalence of 24–30.1% at six weeks, dropping to 13.6% at six months.
See also
Miscarriage
Pain management during childbirth
Miscarriage and mental illness
References
Further reading
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Maternal disorders predominantly related to pregnancy
Mental disorders associated with pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium