Negative experiences and severe fear of childbirth, subjective distress, previous abortion, psychological difficulties in pregnancy (particularly depression in early pregnancy), previous psychiatric problems, history of PTSD and trauma (particularly interpersonal violence) are possible psychological risk factors for developing PTSD following childbirth. Several studies examined the risk factors for developing PTSD-FC. In France, suicide is the second cause of post-partum death during 2013–2015. One study showed that one of the non-medical leading causes of death for women during the postpartum is suicide. Moreover, postpartum is associated with increased risk of suicide, especially for women who suffer from post-partum depression. The risk of postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and anxiety are increased after a complicated childbirth. During the postpartum, women could suffer from mental health disorders related to birth experience. Moreover, couples relationships could be negatively affected by a traumatic childbirth experience and PTSD-FC symptoms. These feelings have direct impact on mother-child interactions and could cause important social isolation. Women who experience PTSD-FC might feel abandonment, guilt and helplessness. One study showed that about 45% of women experienced traumatic childbirth and up to 4–6% of women developed PTSD following childbirth (PTSD-FC). A traumatic childbirth could cause psychological distress, intense fear, or helplessness for the parturient and increases the risk of anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Given that, a specific attention to PTSD-FC and psychological distress following childbirth should be given to mothers and their partners following childbirth.Ĭhildbirth could be experienced as distressing or even traumatic for some women, which might produce undesirable marks on their lives. Our study demonstrated significant links between psychological, traumatic and birth-related risk factors as well as the perceived social support and the possible PTSD following childbirth in mothers and partners.

While for partners, post-partum depression was highly associated with the total score of PTSD-FC. The difficulties in mother-infant bond and the postpartum depression were highly associated with the total score of PTSD-FC symptoms for mothers. Our findings highlight the possible impact of several risk factors such as emergency childbirth, past traumatic experiences and distressing events during childbirth on PTSD-FC. The PTSD-FC, postnatal depression, social support, and perceived mother-infant bond in 916 mothers and 64 partners were measured through self-reported psychometric assessments.

Through a cross-sectional online survey biographical, medical, psychological, obstetrical and trauma history data were collected. This study explored the possible risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth (PTSD-FC) in mothers and partners. Childbirth experience could be complicated and even traumatic.

Signs of womb trauma