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Case 95 - A 30-Year-Old Presents for a First Prenatal Visit with a Previous Emergency Operative Delivery Requesting a Planned Primary Cesarean

from Section 11 - Psychosocial Considerations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2025

By
Cheryl Godcharles
Edited by
Peter F. Schnatz ,
D. Yvette LaCoursiere ,
Christopher M. Morosky ,
Jonathan Schaffir ,
Vanessa Torbenson  and
David Chelmow
Peter F. Schnatz
Affiliation:
The Reading Hospital, Pennsylvania
D. Yvette LaCoursiere
Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego
Christopher M. Morosky
Affiliation:
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Jonathan Schaffir
Affiliation:
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Vanessa Torbenson
Affiliation:
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
David Chelmow
Affiliation:
Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine
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Summary

One in 25 patients experience PTSD following childbirth. Risk factors include unplanned cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, obstetric emergencies such as cord prolapse, neonatal intensive care admission, previous trauma, and severe physical complications. Early recognition of PTSD is imperative. It can have a significant impact on the health of both the birthing parent and the infant. It is associated with difficulty in bonding with the infant, breast-feeding, or engaging in postnatal care. A multidisciplinary approach between obstetricians, psychiatrists, and other mental health providers is recommended for management. Treatment may involve eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy. It is reasonable to perform cesarean delivery for maternal request in patients who are well informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Keywords

PTSDPMADbirth traumacesareanpostpartumpost-traumatic stress disorder
Type
Chapter
Information
Pregnancy Complications
A Case-Based Approach
 , pp. 298 - 300
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

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