Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: current issues and recommendations for future research

Ayers, Susan; Joseph, Stephen; McKenzie‐McHarg, Kirstie; Slade, Pauline; Wijma, Klaas

doi:10.1080/01674820802034631

Cited by 133 publications

(129 citation statements)

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“…The one study to have used full DSM IV criteria, Alcorn et al (2010), found that 3.1% of women met criteria at 6 months after birth, after controlling for previous traumatic events, clinically significant anxiety and depression during pregnancy. These figures have led to international recognition of the importance of post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth (Ayers, Joseph, McKenzie-McHarg, Slade, & Wijma, 2008). The findings reported in the current paper extend this focus by identifying variables that are predictive of initially birth related trauma and subsequent PTSD, thus possibly allowing for screening of at risk women.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Predicting posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth

et al. 2014

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Objective: Around 50% of women report symptoms that indicate some aspect of their childbirth experience was "traumatic", and at least 3.1% meet diagnosis for PTSD 6 months post partum. Here we aimed to conduct a prospective longitudinal study and examine predictors of birth-related trauma -predictors that included a range of pre-event factors -as a first step in the creation of a screening questionnaire. Method:Of the 933 women who completed an assessment in their third trimester, 866 were followed-up at 4 to 6 week postpartum. Two canonical discriminant function analyses were conducted to ascertain factors associated with experiencing birth as traumatic and, of the women who found the birth traumatic, which factors were associated with those who developed PTSD.Results: A mix of 16 pre-birth predictor variables and event-specific predictor variables distinguished women who reported symptoms consistent with trauma from those who did not. Fourteen predictor variables distinguished women who went on to develop PTSD from those who did not. Conclusions:Anxiety sensitivity to possible birthing problems, breached birthing expectations, and severity of any actual birth problem, predicted those who found the birth traumatic. Prior trauma was the single most important predictive factor of PTSD. Evaluating the utility of brief, cost-effective, and accurate screening for women at risk of developing birth-related PTSD is suggested.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Predicting posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth

et al. 2014

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“…A number of authors have emphasized that preventive interventions should be based on the underlying psychological mechanism of traumatic stress symptoms (Ayers et al, 2008;Garthus-Niegel et al, 2013). However, the aetiology of these symptoms remains unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aetiological relationships between factors associated with postnatal traumatic symptoms among Japanese primiparas and multiparas: A longitudinal study

et al. 2017

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Etiology of postnatal trauma 2 Highlights We studied fear of childbirth (FOC) & traumatic stress due to childbirth in Japan  Higher antenatal FOC was associated with traumatic stress symptoms after childbirth  FOC in primiparas was associated with a history of mental illness and lower income  Lower satisfaction with a previous birth was associated with FOC in multiparas Etiology of postnatal trauma 4

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“…As women are repeatedly exposed to the reminder of their trauma (i.e. their baby), this could also ameliorate or exacerbate their symptoms (Ayers et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotions and support needs following a distressing birth: Scoping study with pregnant multigravida women in North-West England

Thomson

Downe

2016

Midwifery

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Emotions and support needs following a distressing birth: Scoping study with pregnant multigravida women in North-West England AbstractObjective: To identify the emotional and support needs of pregnant multigravida women who have experienced adverse responses associated with a previous childbirth experience.Setting: Four maternity hospitals in North-West England.Design: 100 surveys were distributed at an anomaly scan clinic in each of four maternity hospitals (total n=400). The survey included an adapted version of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale to explore trauma responses at two broad time points: a) following a previous birth and b) during the current pregnancy. Participants were also asked about the optimal time to receive support post-birth, and the type and provider of support they had accessed/would have liked to access. Descriptive and inferential statistics were undertaken on the quantitative data. The qualitative data was analysed using a basic thematic approach.Participants: Multigravida pregnant women aged 18+ years. Findings:The overall response rate was 28% (n=112); 43% (n=46) of these had experienced negative/trauma responses associated with a previous birth, 74% of whom (n=34) continued/reexperienced adverse responses in their current pregnancy. Most commonly reported trauma responses were difficulties in recalling the previous birth(s), avoiding memories associated with it, and the distress associated with these memories when they were recalled.Approximately 54% (n=25) had received some form of support post-birth, and variations in preferred timing of postnatal support provision were reported. Information on available support and opportunities to discuss the birth with a maternity professional were identified most frequently as preferred support options. Conclusion & Implications for Practice:Women's views about what might work should form the basis for effectiveness studies in this area. Among the participants in this study there was evidence of unmet support needs relating to negative or traumatic responses to a previous birth.The range of preferred timing and types of support indicate that flexible needs-based support options should be provided. Further research should assess if these findings are reinforced in a more diverse sample with a higher response rate.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: current issues and recommendations for future research

Abstract: This is the unspecified version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent

Cited by 133 publications

References 40 publications

Predicting posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth

Predicting posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth

Aetiological relationships between factors associated with postnatal traumatic symptoms among Japanese primiparas and multiparas: A longitudinal study

Emotions and support needs following a distressing birth: Scoping study with pregnant multigravida women in North-West England

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