Factors Associated with Birth-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and the Subsequent Impact of Traumatic Birth on Mother-Infant Relationship Quality

• Published in: Behavioral sciences Vol. 14; no. 9; p. 808
• Main Authors: Frankham, Lucy J, Thorsteinsson, Einar B, Bartik, Warren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 12.09.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Analysis; Babies; birth; Birth injuries; Childbirth & labor; childbirth self-efficacy; Influence; maternal mental health; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mothers; mother–infant relationship; Obstetrics; Personality; Personality traits; Post traumatic stress disorder; Self-efficacy; Trauma; Womens health; Australia; birth; post-traumatic stress disorder; maternal mental health; personality; childbirth self-efficacy; mother–infant relationship
• ISSN: 2076-328X; 2076-328X
• DOI: 10.3390/bs14090808

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with birth-related PTSD symptoms and the subsequent impact on mother-infant relationship quality, exploring what women felt they needed to be different about their birth process to further understand the problem. Participants were recruited using social media advertising. A multi-method approach, using qualitative and quantitative analyses, was employed. The study included 142 pregnant women residing in Australia aged between 19 and 42 years ( = 31.24; = 4.70). High extraversion significantly predicted greater birth-related PTSD symptoms. There was a significant relationship between birth-related PTSD symptoms and poorer mother-infant relationship quality. The content analysis of the responses from women who reported a desire for a different or improved birth experience generated four themes: (1) less intrusive intervention, (2) better communication, (3) access to more supportive intervention, and (4) better post-birth care. The findings highlight the importance of supporting women's choices during birth by promoting informed and respectful woman-centred care. Postnatally, the screening and assessment of women should go beyond mood screening and include an assessment of the woman's response to her birth experience.