Risk factors for birth trauma and postpartum posttraumatic stress in the United Kingdom: Results from the international survey of childbirth-related trauma.

INTRODUCTION

Recent research shows that 40.6% of women in the United Kingdom experience childbirth as at least moderately traumatic, and 5.9% develop childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD). However, risk factors for birth trauma ratings and CB-posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) in this sample remain unexplored. Therefore, the aim was to understand risk factors for birth trauma and CB-PTSS in a UK sample.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of traumatic birth and CB-PTSD with women (N = 339) from three hospitals in England, two in Wales, and three in Scotland. Participants completed the survey at 6-12 weeks postpartum. It included questions about (i) demographics and mental health; (ii) pregnancy; (iii) labor and birth; and (iv) the infant. Outcome variables were birth trauma rating and CB-PTSS.

RESULTS

Higher birth trauma ratings were predicted by women not having other children, maternal complications during birth, lower birth satisfaction, and a mother not having skin-to-skin contact with her baby after birth. Higher CB-PTSS were predicted by younger maternal age, women not having other children, current mental health difficulties, previous trauma, giving birth in Scotland, emergency cesarean section, and lower birth satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this paper found that traumatic birth and CB-PTSS symptoms are associated with a range of demographic, mental health, birth-related, and infant-related variables. Results from this study can be used to improve maternity care.