Traumatic Birthing Experiences

A small percent of women show signs of postpartum post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after giving birth.

According to Science Daily, Aug 8, 2012, "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops in individuals who experience highly traumatizing situations such as terrorist attacks and car accidents, but symptoms can also come about after normal life events -- including childbirth." (1)

Long taught by midwife, founder of the Association for Childbirth at Home, International, founder and activist, Tonya Brooks, overwhelming pain in childbirth may contribute  to the development of some degree of PTSD symptoms from partial to full blown PTSD.

"It has been suggested that the intense experience of pain can lead to an event perceived as traumatic." (2)

Factors contributing to childbirth related PTSD include
-fear of labor itself
-fear of pain
-fear of death
-fear of danger to self
-fear of danger to preborn baby
-natural childbirth without pain relief
-body image issues
-discomfort at being undressed during labor
-elective cesarean birth
-complication of present and earlier pregnancies.

Certain factors are known to be associated with development of postpartum PTSD.

These risk factors include events surrounding the birth, subjective perception of loss of control during labor; use of invasive procedures including manual and cesarean; sexual abuse; previous psychiatric treatment; fear of loosing the baby; quality of social support; and attachment style.(3)

Sources

Science Daily, Aug 8, 2012

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