The Impact of Mode of Birth on Childbirth-Related Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms beyond 6 Months Postpartum: An Integrative Review

Ginter, Nicole; Takács, Lea; Boon, Martine J. M.; Verhoeven, Corine J. M.; Dahlen, Hannah G.; Peters, Lilian L.

Abstract

(1) Background: A traumatic birth can lead to the development of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms or disorder (CB-PTS/D). Literature has identified the risk factors for developing CB-PTS/D within the first six months postpartum thoroughly. However, the impact of mode of birth on CB-PTS/D beyond 6 months postpartum is scarcely studied. (2) Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted in the databases PubMed, Embase and CINAHL and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Studies were included if they reported the impact of mode of birth on CB-PTS/D beyond 6 months postpartum. (3) Results: In total, 26 quantitative and 2 qualitative studies were included. In the quantitative studies the percentage of women with CB-PTS/D ranged from 0.7% to 42% (between six months and five years postpartum). Compared with vaginal birth, operative vaginal birth, and emergency caesarean section were associated with CB-PTS/D beyond 6 months postpartum. Qualitative studies revealed that some women were suffering from CB-PTS/D as long as 18 years after birth. (4) Conclusions: Long- term screening of women for PTSD in the postnatal period could be beneficial. More research is needed on models of care that help prevent CB-PTS/D, identifying women at risk and factors that maintain CB-PTS/D beyond 6 months postpartum.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jul 15, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jul 20, 2022
• Publication Date: Jul 2, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jun 7, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 8, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 14
• Article Number: 8830
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148830
• Keywords: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/9093349
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/14/8830