Traumatic Childbirth Experiences of New Parents: A Meta-Synthesis

Abstract

Childbirth is usually a joyous occasion. However, a significant proportion of parents experienced traumatic childbirths and suffered post-traumatic consequences, which needs urgent attention. Therefore, this review aimed to explore and understand the traumatic childbirth experiences of parents. A systematic review of qualitative studies was done. The consolidated evidence was meta-summarized and meta-synthesized based on Sandelowski and Barroso’s approach for synthesizing qualitative research. Seven electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from each database’s inception to April 2020. Retrieved studies were screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and 19 studies were included in this review. All included studies were meta-summarized and meta-synthesized. An overarching theme, “traumatic birth: an evolving voyage,” with three main themes, (1) “proceedings to traumatic birth,” (2) “internal and external battles,” and (3) “muddling through to beating the odds,” and 10 subthemes were identified. Overall, parents felt fluctuations of emotions that seemed to be never-ending journeys. They expressed that various factors led to their traumatic birth experiences, especially health care providers’ dismissive attitudes. Parents commonly reported feelings of powerlessness and fear for the safety of mothers and infants. Their constant battles to overcome traumatic experiences affected some of their relationships. To deal with the trauma, some mothers displayed avoidance behaviors while others relied on social support. As health care providers play important roles in influencing outcomes of childbirth, they should be mindful of the care provided during labors and childbirths.

Childbirth readiness mediates the effect of social support on psychological birth trauma of primiparous women: a nationwide online cross-sectional study in China

“…Additionally, research indicated that the positive relationship between women and health care providers is crucial in creating a sense of control, providing women with safe and supportive birthing environments, and in uencing childbirth outcomes 38 . On the contrary, prior studies showed that most women shared their experiences of medical staff betraying their trust, neglecting them, and being apathetic and dismissive [14]. Such behaviors of medical staff contributed extensively to women's childbirth trauma.…”

“…Additionally, the women who had experienced negative traumatic births might avoid subsequent pregnancies, affecting their future fertility choices 14,18 . Given the importance of psychological birth trauma to women, exploring how to prevent women's psychological birth trauma is crucial to promote positive birthing experiences and reduce the negative consequences of childbirth in women 14 . However, there is scant evidence on prevention.…”

Psychological birth trauma: A concept analysis

“…Women's perception of psychological birth trauma is highly subjective (Taghizadeh et al, 2014). Each birth experience is unique to every woman, indeed, even the same events that occur during birth are perceived differently by every woman (Shorey and Wong, 2022). Studies showed that childbirth that appears normal and straightforward to healthcare professionals and is medically uneventful can be perceived as traumatic by the woman (Holopainen et al, 2020;Leinweber et al, 2022).…”

“…Childbirth, a major event in a woman's life, is of a profound and complex nature (Shorey and Wong, 2022). Not only does it involve huge physical changes, but it is also accompanied by significant psychological fluctuations (Fenech and Thomson, 2015;Shorey and Wong, 2022). Negative birth experiences can even cause terrible psychological trauma to women (Fenech and Thomson, 2015;Shorey and Wong, 2022).…”

“…Not only does it involve huge physical changes, but it is also accompanied by significant psychological fluctuations (Fenech and Thomson, 2015;Shorey and Wong, 2022). Negative birth experiences can even cause terrible psychological trauma to women (Fenech and Thomson, 2015;Shorey and Wong, 2022). Studies indicated that the incidence of traumatic birth ranges from 20 to 68.6 percent in different countries (Uotila et al, 2005;Türkmen et al, 2020;Bay and Sayiner, 2021).…”