Beyond birth trauma: A scoping review on childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder and early relational health in the family system.

BACKGROUND

To promote optimal development for families negatively impacted by traumatic birth experiences, research is needed to understand the potentially unique effects of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) symptoms on early relational health (ERH) in the family system.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the nature and extent of current knowledge on the effect of CB-PTSD on early relational health of the family.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We utilized previously published scoping review framework and followed PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Databases searched included Google Scholar, PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Search terms included Boolean strings such as "childbirth-related PTSD" AND "mother-infant relationship", OR "early relational health".

SELECTION CRITERIA: Eligible articles quantitatively assessed the predictive relationship between CB-PTSD and an early relational health construct and adequately distinguished PTSD symptoms related to childbirth from symptoms related to other traumatic experiences.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Initial search yielded N = 695 records. The final study sample included N = 22 records published from 2007 to 2023. Data were charted and synthesized based on methodological characteristics and main findings.

MAIN

RESULTS

Current research specifically examining adverse effects of CB-PTSD symptoms on both the mother-infant relationship and co-parent relational health is limited and has produced conflicting results. Variation in study characteristics and methodology are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

CB-PTSD symptoms may have a significant impact on early relational health, although findings are unclear and vary by methodology used. Clinical relevance of findings related to prevention, screening, and treatment are discussed.