Birth trauma: the mediating effects of perceived support

Abstract

Background Many women experience their childbirth as traumatic, and 4-6% of mothers present with postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder. Aims To measure the relationship between obstetric intervention, perceived support in childbirth and mothers' experiences of postnatal trauma, and to identify salient aspects of the birth experience that are considered traumatic. Methods A total of 222 women in their first year postpartum were recruited between October and December 2018 via local mother and baby groups in southwest England (UK) and online social media pages. They completed an online survey regarding their birth experience. Further insight into mother's birth experiences was garnered through free-text responses in the survey. Results Overall, 29% of mothers experienced a traumatic birth and 15% met full or partial criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. Feeling supported mediated the relationship between obstetric intervention and postnatal trauma symptoms. Conclusions This study reinforces the value of supportive healthcare professionals and the power of a nurturing environment, which can buffer the potentially negative effects of an obstetrically complicated birth on postnatal trauma symptoms.