Abstract
BackgroundThe psychological birth trauma is a universal phenomenon in childbearing women. The influences could extend in a wide range, which includes the mothers’ health, mother-infant relationship, partner relationship. The medical staff could even choose to quit playing their part in the birthing process. The phenomenon has gradually garnered attention around the world. However, it has rarely been discussed under Chinese special conditions. The study was to explore Chinese women’s lived experiences of psychological birth trauma during labor and birth.MethodsA descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Twenty-four women were recruited, who reported having experienced psychological birth trauma. In-depth interviews were conducted within 1 week after birth. Colaizzi’s method was used to analyze the data.ResultsTwenty-four women participated in the study. Four themes emerged to describe the women’s experience of psychological birth trauma: “How am I supposed to relieve the endless pain?” “ Can’t I be weak?” “Am I not important?” “What uncertainties are waiting for me?”ConclusionsThe findings provide deep insight into Chinese women’s unique experience of psychological birth trauma. The social and health system could prevent psychological harm during birth and promote maternal health by measures of pain management, thoughtful attention, adequate caring, and prenatal preparation.
Highlights
The psychological birth trauma is a universal phenomenon in childbearing women
Psychological birth trauma, known as traumatic childbirth, refers to the maternal severe psychological harm caused by the events occurring during labor and birth [3, 4]
As for women themselves, psychological birth trauma may lead to post-traumatic stress, which is characterized by a traumatic memory, negative cognition, and escape behavior, in severe cases, even progresses to posttraumatic stress disorder or suicide [6, 7]
Summary
The psychological birth trauma is a universal phenomenon in childbearing women. The phenomenon has gradually garnered attention around the world. It has rarely been discussed under Chinese special conditions. The study was to explore Chinese women’s lived experiences of psychological birth trauma during labor and birth. Psychological birth trauma, known as traumatic childbirth, refers to the maternal severe psychological harm caused by the events occurring during labor and birth [3, 4]. Psychological trauma caused by childbirth is a universal phenomenon and has an extensive effect. The harms of psychological birth trauma might affect the mothers’ health, mother-infant relationship, partnership, and even spread to medical staff [5]. Because of women’s misery from pregnancy to childbirth, the husbands may blame themselves, or feel dreadful and helpless, which leads to marital conflict and
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