Traumatic childbirth affects up to 34% of all birthing women. Approximately 9% of women experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to traumatic childbirth.

Most often, this illness is caused by a real or perceived trauma during delivery or postpartum. These traumas could include:

  • Prolapsed cord

  • Unplanned C-section

  • Use of vacuum extractor or forceps to deliver the baby

  • Baby going to NICU

  • Feelings of powerlessness, poor communication and/or lack of support and reassurance during the delivery

  • Women who have experienced a previous trauma, such as rape or sexual abuse, are also at a higher risk for experiencing postpartum PTSD

  • Women who have experienced a severe physical complication or injury related to pregnancy or childbirth, such as severe postpartum hemorrhage, unexpected hysterectomy, severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, perineal trauma (3rd or 4th-degree tear), or cardiac disease

Symptoms

Symptoms of postpartum PTSD might include:

  • Intrusive re-experiencing of a past traumatic event (which in this case may have been the childbirth itself)

  • Flashbacks or nightmares

  • Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, including thoughts, feelings, people, places and details of the event

  • Persistent increased arousal (irritability, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response)

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Feeling a sense of unreality and detachment