The psychological consequences of childbirth

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly recognised that some women develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth. This study aimed to determine whether women experienced symptoms of PTSD and depression at 6-12 months post-partum; and what factors predict the development of psychopathology. This was a retrospective postal study of women who have given birth in the previous 6-12 months. A total of 102 women who delivered in hospital completed measures of PTSD, depression, perceptions of labour and delivery and provided clinical and demographic information at 6-12 months post-partum (mean = 9.5 months). A total of 3.9% showed questionnaire responses suggesting clinically significant levels of PTSD. A further 19.6% women reported sub-clinical symptoms. Regression analysis showed that higher depression scores, fear for the baby and unexpectedness of procedures during labour predicted higher scores on the PTSD measure. A total of 21.5% of women were depressed. A history of mental health problems and the presence of PTSD symptomatology predicted higher depression scores. This study demonstrates that a significant number of women continue to experience some level of PTSD and depression at 9.5 months post-partum. It is important to be aware that births involving unexpected obstetric procedures may precipitate PTSD symptoms in some women.