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

Abstract

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.