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Past Traumatic Life Events, Postpartum PTSD, and the Role of Labor Support

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Suarez

    (Department of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia)

  • Vera Yakupova

    (Department of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) symptoms and subjective rates of traumatic birth experience with past traumatic life events (physical and sexual assault, child abuse, perinatal loss, previous traumatic birth experience, and the cumulative traumatic experience). A sample of Russian women ( n = 2579) who gave birth within the previous 12 months, filled in a web-based survey, where they reported demographic and obstetric characteristics and past traumatic experiences, evaluated their birth experience (0 = not traumatic, 10 = extremely traumatic), and completed the City Birth Trauma Scale (CBiTS). We found that PP-PTSD symptoms were higher among women who previously experienced physical (F = 22.02, p < 0.001) and sexual (F = 15.98, p < 0.001) assault and child abuse (F = 69.25, p < 0.001), with only associations with child abuse (F = 21.14, p < 0.001) remaining significant for subjective rates of traumatic birth experience. Perinatal loss and previous traumatic birth showed moderate but inconsistent effects. Support during labor did not have a buffering effect for participants with past traumatic experiences but showed a universally protective effect against PP-PTSD. Trauma-informed practices and allowing women to have a supportive birth team of choice during childbirth are promising avenues to minimize the incidence of PP-PTSD and improve the childbirth experience for all women.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Suarez & Vera Yakupova, 2023. "Past Traumatic Life Events, Postpartum PTSD, and the Role of Labor Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:6048-:d:1163558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eirini Orovou & Maria Dagla & Georgios Iatrakis & Aikaterini Lykeridou & Chara Tzavara & Evangelia Antoniou, 2020. "Correlation between Kind of Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Greek Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Vera Yakupova & Anna Suarez & Anna Kharchenko, 2021. "Birth Experience, Postpartum PTSD and Depression before and during the Pandemic of COVID-19 in Russia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bridget Basile-Ibrahim & Joan Combellick & Thomas L. Mead & Alee Sorensen & Janene Batten & Robyn Schafer, 2024. "The Social Context of Pregnancy, Respectful Maternity Care, Biomarkers of Weathering, and Postpartum Mental Health Inequities: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-27, April.

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