Examining the association between subjective childbirth experience and maternal mental health at six months postpartum

“I was able to take it back”: Seeking VBAC after experiencing dehumanizing maternity care in a primary cesarean

“…Negative experiences and mistreatment during maternity care are impacting long term health outcomes for women and their families. Negative or traumatic birth experiences are associated with higher rates of maternal mental health complications including postpartum depression and anxiety ( Coo et al, 2021 ) and posttraumatic stress disorder ( Beck & Casavant, 2019 ; Reed, Sharman, & Inglis, 2017 ). Birth trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder has been implicated in decreased maternal-infant bonding ( Kjerulff, Attanasio, Sznajder, & Brubaker, 2021 ) which was described by many of our participants.…”

“…Respectful maternity care is an integral aspect of high-quality care ( Miller & Lalonde, 2015 ; White Ribbon Alliance, 2011 ) and can improve service-users’ experiences and address health inequities ( World Health Organization, 2018b ). Women and childbearing people who experienced higher quality, more person-centered maternity care have more positive experiences of childbirth, are less likely to report maternal or newborn complications, or to screen positive for depression ( Coo, García, & Mira, 2021 ; Karwan Fares & Mirkhan Ahmed, 2021 ; Sudhinaraset, Landrian, Golub, Cotter, & Afulani, 2021 ). In contrast, a negative care experience can create a feeling of distrust toward caregivers ( Fries, 2010 ) and result in distress in the maternity care clinician-patient relationship ( Oparah, Arega, Hudson, Jones, & Oseguera, 2016 ).…”

Effect of the maternal childbirth experience on a subsequent birth: a retrospective 7-year cohort study of primiparas in Finland

“…Such an experience can have many adverse effects on the well-being of the mother, baby and the whole family 1. For example, a traumatic or negative childbirth experience has been associated with an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder,2–5 lower postpartum mental health,6–8 difficulties in maternal–infant bonding,9 and problems in a couple’s relationship 10 11…”

“…Such an experience can have many adverse effects on the well-being of the mother, baby and the whole family. 1 For example, a traumatic or negative childbirth experience has been associated with an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, [2][3][4][5] lower postpartum mental health, [6][7][8] difficulties in maternal-infant bonding, 9 and problems in a couple's relationship. 10 11 While different outcomes of negative childbirth experiences have been extensively studied, little is known about how the childbirth experience influences subsequent reproductive behaviour.…”

Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of positive childbirth experiences: A discussion paper

“…Studies suggest that between one‐ and two‐thirds of women experience childbirth as positive, 11–14 whereas up to 30% of women experience their childbirth as negative or even traumatic 15–17 . A Dutch study showed that 3 years after childbirth, approximately one in three primiparous women had a positive recollection of the childbirth compared with one in two multiparous women 6 .…”