Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T03:06:27.819Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder and its treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Maeve Mangaoang
Maeve Mangaoang*
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster, Ireland
*
*Correspondence E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The phenomenon of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become more widely recognised in recent years following changes in 1994 to the DSM criteria regarding how a traumatic event was defined. Emerging literature has predominately focused on prevalence rates and risk factors associated with this condition and on the use of debriefing techniques as an attempt to reduce or prevent the development of postnatal PTSD. However, little is known about the efficacy of psychological interventions that have been used to treat PTSD among postnatal women. This review summarises the limited evidence supporting the use of such treatments and discusses the significant challenges in developing and implementing psychological interventions for childbirth-related PTSD.

Keywords

Child birthPost-traumatic stress disorderPTSDPsychological interventionPostnatal
Type
Reviews
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 76 - 81
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 3rd ed. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1980.Google Scholar
2.APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.Google Scholar
3.Ayers, S, Pickering, AD. Do Women Get Post-traumatic Stress Disorder as a Result of Childbirthquest; A Prospective Study of Incidence. Birth 2001; 28(2): 111–118.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Bailham, D, Joseph, S. Post-traumatic stress following childbirth: a review of the emerging literature and directions for research and practice. Psychology, Health Medicine 2003; 8(2): 159–168.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 3rd ed. revised. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1987.Google Scholar
6.Olde, E, van der Hart, O, Kleber, R, van Son, M. Post-traumatic stress following childbirth: A review. Clin Psychol Rev 2006; 26(1): 1–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Holditch-Davis, D, Bartlett, TR, Blickman, AL, Miles, MS. Post-traumatic stress symptoms in mothers of premature infants. J Obs Gynecol NeonatalNurs 2003; 32: 161–171.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Ryding, EL, Wijma, K, Wijma, B. Postpartum counselling after an emergency cesarean. Clin Psychol Psychother 1998; 5(4): 231–237.3.0.CO;2-9>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Hunfield, JA, Wladimiroff, JW, Passchier, J. Prediction and courseof grief four years after perinatal loss due to congenital anomalies. B J Med Psychology 1997; 70: 85–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Lyons, S. A prospective study of post-traumatic stress symptoms 1 month followingchildbirth. J Reproductive Infant Psychol 1998; 16: 91–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Reynolds, JL. Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth: the phenomenon of traumatic birth. Can Med Assoc J 1997; 156:831–835.Google ScholarPubMed
12.Ayers, S, Wright, DB, Wells, N. Symptoms of post-traumatic stressdisorder in couples after birth: association with the couple's relationship and parent-baby bond. J Repro Infant Psychol 2007; 25(1): 40–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Nicholls, K, Ayers, S. Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder in couples: A qualitative study. Br J Health Psychol 2007; 12:491–509.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Ryding, EL, Wijma, K, Wijma, B. Post-traumatic stress reactionsafter emergency caesarean section. Acta Obst Gynecologica Scand 1997; 76:856–861.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Goldbeck-Wood, S. PTSD may follow childbirth. BMJ 1996; 313: 774.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Jack, S. Mothers with post-traumatic stress disorder after traumatic childbirth struggled to survive and experienced nightmares, flashbacks, anger, anxiety, depression, and isolation. Evid Based Nurs 2005; 8(2): 59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Creedy, DK, Shochet, IM, Horsfall, J. Childbirth and the Development of Acute Trauma Symptoms: Incidence and Contributing Factors. Birth 2000; 27(2): 104–111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Wijma, K, Soderquist, J, Wijma, B. Post-traumatic stress disorderafter childbirth: A cross sectional study. J Anxiety Disorders 1997; 11 (6): 587–597.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Czarnocka, J. Slade, P. Prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. Br J Clin Psychology 2000; 39: 35–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Soet, JE, Brack, GA, Dilorio, C. Prevalence and Predictors ofWomen's Experience of Psychological Trauma During Childbirth. Birth 2003; 30(1): 36–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21.Keogh, E, Ayers, S, Francis, H. Does Anxiety Sensitivity Predict Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Following Childbirth? A Preliminary Report. Cog Behav Ther 2002; 31 (4): 145–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22.Soderquist, J, Wijma, K, Wijma, B. Traumatic stress after childbirth: the role of obsteric variables. J Psychosomatic Obst Gynecol 2002; 23: 19–31.Google Scholar
23.Cohen, MN, Ansara, D, Shei, B, Stuckless, N, Stewart, DE. Post-traumatic stress disorder after pregnancy, labor and delivery. J Women's Health 2004; 13: 315–324.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Crompton, J. Post-traumatic stress disorder and childbirth. Br J Midwifery 1996; 4: 290–293.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25.Rhodes, N, Hutchinson, S. Labor experiences of childhood sexual abuse survivors. Birth 1994; 21(4): 213–220.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Rose, A. Effects of childhood sexual abuse on childbirth: one woman's story. Birth 1992; 19(4): 214–225.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27.Wessely, S. Commentary: Reducing Distress After Normal Childbirth. Birth 1998; 25(4):220–221.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.Ryding, EL, Persson, A, Onell, C, Kvist, L. An evaluationof midwives' counseling of pregnant women in fear of childbirth. Acta Obst GynecologicaScand 2003; 82(1):10–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29.Ryding E, L. Wiren, E, Johansson, G, Ceder, B, Dahlstrom, A-M. Group Counseling for Mothers After Emergency Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intervention. Birth 2004; 31 (4): 247–253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30.Lavender, T, Walkinshaw, SA. Can Midwives Reduce Postpartum PsychologicalMorbidity? A Randomized Trial. Birth 1998; 25(4): 215–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
31.Gamble, , Creedy, DK, Webster, J, Moyle, W. A review of the literature on debriefing or non-directive counselling to prevent postpartum emotional distress. Midwifery 2002; 18(1): 72–79.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
32.Gamble, , Creedy, DK. A counselling model for postpartum women after distressing birth experiences. Midwifery 2007; In Press, Corrected Proof.Google Scholar
33.Sandstrom, M. Wiberg, B, Wikman, M, Willman, A-K, Hogberg, U. A pilot study of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing treatment (EMDR) for post-traumatic stress after childbirth. Midwifery 2007; In Press, Corrected Proof.Google Scholar
34.Gamble, , Creedy, D, Moyle, W, Webster, J. McAllister, M. Dickson, P. Effectiveness of a Counseling Intervention after a Traumatic Childbirth: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Birth 2005; 32(1): 11–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35.Kendall-Tackett, KA, Kaufman-Kantor, G. Postpartum depression: a comprehensive approach for nurses. Newbury Park: Sage, 1993.Google Scholar
36.NICE. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): the management of PTSD in adults and children in primary and secondary care. Clinical Guideline 26, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2008, www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG26Google Scholar
37.Sorenson, DS. Healing traumatizing provider interactions among women through short-term group therapy. Arch Psychiatric Nurs 2003; 17(6): 259–269.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38.Gordon, VS. Insight: A cognitive enhancement program for women: Facilitator's manual. Minneapolis, MN: Gordon, 1999.Google Scholar
39.Sorenson, DS. (2000). Posttraumatic stress disorder inventory. Brookings, SD: South Dakota State University (unpublished), 2000.Google Scholar
40.Peplau, HE. Interpersonal relations in nursing. New York: GP Putnam's Sons, 1952.Google Scholar
41.Foa, EB, Keane, TM, Friedman, MJ. Guidelines for Treatment of PTSD. J Traumatic Stress 2000; 13(4): 539–588.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
42.Slade, P. Towards a conceptual framework for understanding post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and implications for further research. J Psychosomatic Obst Gynecol 2006; 27(2): 99–105.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed