CHILDBIRTH-RELATED POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

In recent years, growing evidence suggests that traumatic childbirth resulting in maternal morbidity affects a significant portion of women globally. Beyond severe maternal physical morbidity, childbirth trauma can lead to the development of subsyndromal or diagnosable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder is commonly labeled as childbirth-related PTSD (CB-PTSD); it is distinguished from peripartum depression, yet it has received relatively limited recognition in research and clinical care. This chapter presents an overview of current knowledge of CB-PTSD by integrating quantitative studies and a patient case report. The prevalence of CB-PTSD in postpartum populations, its impact on the child and family, the factors implicated in the risk of developing this disorder, and cultural considerations are discussed. Additionally, this chapter describes tools for screening for symptoms of CB-PTSD and potential psychological treatments that may lead to the reduction and prevention of symptoms. Given that the field of CB-PTSD research remains in its infancy, the authors present gaps in knowledge and areas warranting future studies to provide critical insight into a maternal mental health condition with potentially significant public healthcare costs.