Prevalence and risk factors of birth-related posttraumatic stress among parents: A comparative systematic review and meta-analysis

Traumatic Childbirth and Birth-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…We searched known risk factors of birth-related PTSD during maternity stays, such as antenatal depression [ 11 , 14 ] using the French translation of the Edinburgh Post-Partum Depression Scale (EPDS), a set of 10 screening questions used to identify women who may have post-partum depression, with each answer being scored from 0 to 3 [ 22 , 23 ] and with a total score higher than 11 being interpreted as antenatal depression. The modalities of childbirth (delivery route, instrumented delivery, maternal and neonatal complications) [ 7 , 11 ] and the level of satisfaction with the quality of care, support and medical information provided by healthcare workers (HCW) were evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale [ 7 , 11 ]. The presence of a peritraumatic reaction linked the delivery was assessed using the French version of The Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, a 13-item self-report questionnaire that measures the level of distress experienced by an individual during and shortly after a traumatic event [ 24 , 25 ], and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, a self-report inventory used to assess dissociation occurring at the time of the trauma [ 26 , 27 ] which is known as a predictive factor of related to childbirth PTSD [ 28 ].…”

“…For both tools, the assessment was considered as positive if the total score was higher than 15 [ 24 , 26 ]. The participating women were also interviewed about the use of a previous psychotropic treatment, the presence of previous traumatic events (including traumatic childbirth according to DSM-5 and specific types of previous traumatic events, e.g., physical, sexual aggression, severe disease) [ 7 , 11 ]. We tested the perceived social support using the 5-point Likert scale during the post-partum period [ 29 ].…”

“…However, childbirth with no medical complications, whether obstetric or neonatal, can nevertheless also be experienced as traumatic and can lead to complications in the mental well-being of the mother, the father and the child. The authors of a recent meta-analysis suggested the use of the terminology of birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to describe a PTSD resulting in a traumatic childbirth and concluded that 4.7% of mothers developed birth-related PTSD and 12.3% of mothers developed birth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) [ 7 ]. Actually, a traumatic childbirth does not necessarily give rise to the development of birth-related PTSD, which is the most serious clinical evolution and can be limited to birth-related PTSS, which can include post-traumatic stress symptoms that are not sufficient to validate the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.…”

The design, delivery and evaluation of ‘Human Perspectives VR’: An immersive educational programme designed to raise awareness of contributory factors for a traumatic childbirth experience and PTSD

“…Traumatic childbirth experiences have been associated with a wide range of negative impacts for women and their families, such as, low self-esteem, early breastfeeding cessation, and relationship issues [ 4 ]. Similar to other forms of trauma, a traumatic birth can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a trauma- and stressor-related disorder, with 4.7% of women developing PTSD post birth [ 5 ].…”

“…A traumatic birth, if left untreated, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, a recognised complex and serious mental health condition that affects approximately 4.7% of women in general community samples [ 5 ] and 19% in high-risk groups, such as women with a previous mental health illness, previous PTSD, preterm birth [ 17 ]. These statistics indicate that women from more complex vulnerable and disadvantages communities may be disproportionally affected.…”