Perceptions and knowledge of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder among health professionals involved in intrapartum and postpartum care.

BACKGROUND

Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) can significantly affect maternal and infant wellbeing. This study examined whether healthcare professionals involved in intrapartum and postpartum care are less likely to recognize CB-PTSD compared to PTSD caused from other traumatic events. We also assessed the tendency to misclassify CB-PTSD as postpartum depression and evaluated providers' knowledge of PTSD across trauma types.

METHODS

A total of 492 healthcare providers (256 postpartum; 236 intrapartum) were recruited via email invitations. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four vignettes describing a woman with PTSD symptoms following childbirth, a car accident, a terrorist attack, or sexual assault. All vignettes met DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. Participants rated the likelihood of PTSD and depression diagnoses and answered questions assessing PTSD knowledge. Analyses included ANCOVAs and chi-square tests.

FINDINGS: Significant differences emerged in the recognition of PTSD following childbirth compared to other trauma types (F(3, 470) = 6.94, p < .001). PTSD was less likely to be attributed to childbirth than to a terror attack or sexual assault. The gap between PTSD and depression ratings was also significantly smaller in the childbirth condition compared to terror attack (M difference = 0.58, p < .001) and car accident conditions (M difference = 0.67, p < .001). Participants also tended to know less about childbirth than other events as an index event causing PTSD.

DISCUSSION: Findings suggest under-recognition of CB-PTSD among perinatal care providers which likely reflects limited knowledge of childbirth as trauma. Training is needed to improve diagnostic accuracy and support.