Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: a study of prevalence and related factors in Iranian women

Abstract

Aim: Women who experience severe distress during the process of childbirth might develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with feeling the danger of death or severe trauma for the mother or the infant. Considering the changes in the diagnostic criteria of traumatic birth from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) to DSM-V and the adverse consequences of PTSD following childbirth, the present study was conducted. infant's restlessness (OR=3.04, 95%CI: 1.39-6.64, P=0.004) increased its risk. Discussion: Considering the high prevalence of PTSD following childbirth, designing appropriate interventions for improving labor experiences and enhancing support during and after delivery to prevent PTSD seems necessary.

The Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After Childbirth and Social Support and Marital Satisfaction

“…In a systematic review and meta-analysis in 2017, the overall prevalence of this complication worldwide was reported to be 4% on average [16]. In several limited Iranian research, this complication's prevalence 26.7% [7], [7], and 20%, respectively [24]. Notably, the prevalence of this complication in Iran is relatively higher than in other countries.…”

“…Moreover, in this research, some demographic features (age, education level, low socioeconomic status, access to health insurance, culture, & religion) were also considered factors influencing PTSD probability [34]. Mousaviet al considered the variables of income level, pregnancy intention, pregnancy complications, kind of delivery, analgesia, and conformity between the common type of delivery and actual delivery efficiency in treating PTSD [7]. In the research, King et al indicated that three variables of instrumental utilization in vaginal delivery, observed low level of immunity via labor and low level of spousal support during childbirth, had a significant relation with PTSD [35].…”

“…This result is consistent with some studies [40,41] and contradicts others. Ahmadnejad [42] and Mokhtari [7] found no significant correlation PTSD with sexual function and marital satisfaction. The time of handling and studying samples, cultural differences, differences in marital satisfaction concept, and the lack of distinction between psychological trauma and PTSD (because not every psychological trauma results in PTSD) are the reasons for this contradiction.…”

“…The main symptoms include the following: re-experiencing the event in mind (disturbing thoughts, nightmare, & feeling recurrence of the event), avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, increased arousal and reactivity, anger, disrupted focus, and sleep hypervigilance [7]. Environmental, physical, biological, and genetic factors can affect the creation and constancy disorder [8,9].…”

The relationship between birth satisfaction, posttraumatic stress disorder and postnatal depression symptoms in Croatian women

“…PTSD can develop following a difficult or traumatic birth during which women think they or their baby might die or be seriously injured (Yildiz et al, 2017). Mokhtari et al (2018) demonstrated a significant relationship between birth satisfaction, perceived support during and after childbirth, and PTSD following childbirth. In terms of specific aspects of birth satisfaction, studies showed that perceived loss of control during labour and childbirth, receiving inadequate and insufficient support from medical staff and partner, invasive obstetric interventions, such as emergency caesarean section and instrumental vaginal childbirth, were significantly associated with increased risk for traumatic birth and developing PTSD (Ayers et al, 2016;Hollander et al, 2017;Reed et al, 2017).…”