Journal Article

A prospective longitudinal study of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from childbirth events

O'Donovan, A., Creedy, D., Devilly, G. J., Alcorn, K. L., Patrick, J. C.

2010

Overview

Childbirth has been linked to postpartum impairment. However, controversy exists regarding the onset and prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth, with seminal studies being limited by methodological issues. This longitudinal prospective study examined the prevalence of PTSD following childbirth in a large sample while controlling for pre-existing PTSD and affective symptomatology. Pregnant women in their third trimester were recruited over a 12-month period and interviewed to identify PTSD and anxiety and depressive symptoms during the last trimester of pregnancy, 4-6 weeks postpartum, 12 weeks postpartum and 24 weeks postpartum. Of the 1067 women approached, 933 were recruited into the study. In total, 866 (93%) were retained to 4-6 weeks, 826 (89%) were retained to 12 weeks and 776 (83%) were retained to 24 weeks. Results indicated that, uncontrolled, 3.6% of women met PTSD criteria at 4-6 weeks postpartum, 6.3% at 12 weeks postpartum and 5.8% at 24 weeks postpartum. When controlling for PTSD and partial PTSD due to previous traumatic events as well as clinically significant anxiety and depression during pregnancy, PTSD rates were less at 1.2% at 4-6 weeks, 3.1% at 12 weeks and 3.1% at 24 weeks postpartum. This is the first study to demonstrate the occurrence of full criteria PTSD resulting from childbirth after controlling for pre-existing PTSD and partial PTSD and clinically significant depression and anxiety in pregnancy. The findings indicate that PTSD can result from a traumatic birth experience, though this is not the normative response.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Adult / Adult and adolescent clinical studies / Anxiety / Anxiety - etiology / Anxiety - psychology / Anxiety disorders. Neuroses / Anxiety-Depression / Biological and medical sciences / Birth experiences / Childbirth / Childbirth & labor / Clinical significance / Criteria / Depression - etiology / Depression - psychology / Female / Humans / Longitudinal studies / Medical sciences / Mental depression / Methodological problems / Parturition - psychology / Post traumatic stress disorder / postnatal / Postpartum period / Postpartum Period - psychology / Postpartum women / Posttraumatic stress disorder / Pregnancy / Pregnancy Trimester, Third - psychology / Pregnant women / Prevalence / Prospective Studies / Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Psychiatry / Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry / Psychopathology / Psychopathology. Psychiatry / Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology / Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology / Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology / Trauma / Traumatic life events / Women