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Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder and its treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Maeve Mangaoang
Maeve Mangaoang*
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster, Ireland
*
*Correspondence E-mail: mangaom@gmail.com
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Abstract

The phenomenon of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become more widely recognised in recent years following changes in 1994 to the DSM criteria regarding how a traumatic event was defined. Emerging literature has predominately focused on prevalence rates and risk factors associated with this condition and on the use of debriefing techniques as an attempt to reduce or prevent the development of postnatal PTSD. However, little is known about the efficacy of psychological interventions that have been used to treat PTSD among postnatal women. This review summarises the limited evidence supporting the use of such treatments and discusses the significant challenges in developing and implementing psychological interventions for childbirth-related PTSD.

Keywords

Child birthPost-traumatic stress disorderPTSDPsychological interventionPostnatal
Type
Reviews
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 76 - 81
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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