Associations among Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and COVID‐19 Pandemic‐Related Stressors

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic‐related stressors (eg, exposure, infection worry, self‐quarantining) can result in heightened levels of distress and symptoms of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: Using a cross‐sectional descriptive design, we collected survey data from a convenience sample of 670 postpartum persons who gave birth to a newborn during the first 6 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. The presence of PTSD symptoms was measured using the 21‐item Birth Memories And Recall Questionnaire (BirthMARQ) and defined as an affirmative rating for each item (score of 5 to 7 on a 1 to 7 agreement scale). Symptoms counts were computed for each of the 6 BirthMARQ domains, 2 symptom clusters (intrusive; mood and cognition alterations), and the total number of symptoms. Symptom counts were analyzed using descriptive statistics. We explored associations among COVID‐19 experiences (self‐quarantine behaviors, infection worry, exposure) and counts of PTSD symptoms using negative binomial regression models while controlling for postpartum depression screening scores, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, number of weeks postpartum, race, and marital status. RESULTS: Almost 99% of participants reported experiencing at least one of 21 PTSD symptoms (mean, 8.32; SD, 3.63). Exposure to COVID‐19 was associated with a 34% greater risk for experiencing intrusive symptoms, specifically, symptoms of reliving the birthing experience as if it were happening now (47% greater risk). Worry surrounding COVID‐19 infection was associated with a 26% increased risk for experiencing intrusive recall symptoms in which birth memories came up unexpectantly. COVID‐19 quarantining behaviors were not significantly related to increasing PTSD symptoms. Many of the demographic variables included were associated with increasing PTSD symptoms. DISCUSSION: Screening perinatal persons for PTSD is critically important, especially during public health crises like the COVID‐19 pandemic. The integration of comprehensive mental health screening, including specific screening for trauma and symptoms of PTSD, across health care settings can help improve delivery of quality, patient‐centered care to postpartum persons.