Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth

Deniz Ertan, Coraline Hingray, Elena Burlacu, Aude Sterlé, Wissam El-Hage, Deniz Ertan, Coraline Hingray, Elena Burlacu, Aude Sterlé, Wissam El-Hage

Abstract

Background: Childbirth experience could be complicated and even traumatic. This study explored the possible risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth (PTSD-FC) in mothers and partners.

Methods: Through a cross-sectional online survey biographical, medical, psychological, obstetrical and trauma history data were collected. The PTSD-FC, postnatal depression, social support, and perceived mother-infant bond in 916 mothers and 64 partners were measured through self-reported psychometric assessments.

Results: Our findings highlight the possible impact of several risk factors such as emergency childbirth, past traumatic experiences and distressing events during childbirth on PTSD-FC. The difficulties in mother-infant bond and the postpartum depression were highly associated with the total score of PTSD-FC symptoms for mothers. While for partners, post-partum depression was highly associated with the total score of PTSD-FC.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated significant links between psychological, traumatic and birth-related risk factors as well as the perceived social support and the possible PTSD following childbirth in mothers and partners. Given that, a specific attention to PTSD-FC and psychological distress following childbirth should be given to mothers and their partners following childbirth.

Keywords: Childbirth; Mother-infant bond; Post-partum post-traumatic stress disorder; Trauma.

Conflict of interest statement

WEH reports personal fees from Air Liquide, Chugai, EISAI, Janssen, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Roche and UCB. CH reports personal fees from EISAI, Janssen, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Sanofi and UCB. The other authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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