Understanding Birth-Related PTSD
Does PTSD apply to childbirth? It can -- and far more often than people may realize. Nearly one in three women describe their childbirth as traumatic, and for some, that experience leaves emotional wounds that linger long after delivery. This kind of trauma can develop into birth-related PTSD, a condition that’s only recently getting the attention it deserves.
A new study seeks to better understand birth-related PTSD. Instead of relying on general PTSD measures -- tools that often miss the nuances of childbirth -- it uses a birth-specific lens to pinpoint what truly drives PTSD symptoms after delivery. It’s a shift that could lead to clearer insights, better support, and more effective protection for mothers during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Researchers surveyed women about their experiences during pregnancy and childbirth, then analyzed which factors were most strongly tied to higher PTSD symptoms. Importantly, they separated out the effects of postpartum depression so it wouldn’t distort the findings. Several factors emerged: being a first-time mother, experiencing complications during pregnancy or birth, and having a negative or distressing personal experience of childbirth. Past trauma initially appeared connected as well, but that link disappeared once postpartum depression was taken into account.
Above all, the mother’s perception of her childbirth -- the extent to which the experience felt negative or overwhelming -- was the strongest predictor of PTSD symptoms. This underscores just how much the emotional and psychological aspects of labor matter, and crucially, how many of them can be shaped by the care a mother receives.
Based on these findings, the authors recommend taking extra care with first-time mothers and those with a history of trauma. They also recommend providing safe, supportive, trauma-aware care throughout pregnancy and delivery; ensuring mothers feel informed, involved, and in control during labor; and finding ways to reduce or prevent traumatic experiences during complications.
Sometimes, the experience of childbirth can turn into something more disheartening: injury from negligence or medical error. To better understand your rights and legal options and speak with a top Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philadelphia, please contact us to set a time to speak.