Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Following Childbirth: Prevalence and Contributing Factors

BACKGROUND: Childbirth might be a traumatic event for some women. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was designed using a descriptive correlation scheme. The participants were selected from the women referred to the healthcare centers affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. Personal interviews were conducted with 600 women who were 6-8 weeks postpartum and had been undergone to this center for postpartum and child care. RESULTS: One hundred and three (17. 2%) women had symptoms of PTSD following childbirth based on the PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS). The results of logistic regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between maternal occupation (P = 0.01), depression level (P < 0.001) and anxiety level (P < 0.001) with PTSD following childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD from childbirth occurs in some women. Early identification of risk factors should lead to early therapeutic intervention in the mothers at risk of PTSD.