Understanding psychological traumatic birth experiences: A literature review

Simpson, M; Catling, C

Understanding psychological traumatic birth experiences: A literature review

Simpson, M

Catling, C

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2016, 29 (3), pp. 203 - 207
Issue Date:: 2016-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Simpson, M https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0734-5418	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Catling, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7352-2879	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:14:33Z
dc.date.issued	2016-06-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2016, 29 (3), pp. 203 - 207	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/38407
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 Australian College of Midwives. Background: Traumatic birth experiences can cause postnatal mental health disturbance, fear of childbirth in subsequent pregnancies and disruption to mother-infant bonding, leading to impaired child development. Some women may develop postnatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a particularly undesirable outcome. This paper aimed to gain a better understanding of factors contributing to birth trauma, and the efficacy of interventions that exist in the literature. Methods: A literature search was undertaken in April 2015. Articles were limited to systematic reviews or original research of either high to moderate scientific quality. A total of 21 articles were included in this literature review. Findings: Women with previous mental health disorders were more prone to experiencing birth as a traumatic event. Other risk factors included obstetric emergencies and neonatal complications. Poor Quality of Provider Interactions was identified as a major risk factor for experiencing birth trauma. Evidence is inconclusive on the best treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; however midwifery-led antenatal and postnatal interventions, such as early identification of risk factors for birth trauma and postnatal counselling showed benefit. Conclusion: Risk factors for birth trauma need to be addressed prior to birth. Consideration needs to be taken regarding quality provider interactions and education for maternity care providers on the value of positive interactions with women. Further research is required into the benefits of early identification of risk factors for birth trauma, improving Quality of Provider Interactions and how midwifery-led interventions and continuity of midwifery carer models could help reduce the number of women experiencing birth trauma.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2015.10.009	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery, Obstetric	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Risk Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Fear	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Parturition	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infant	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.title	Understanding psychological traumatic birth experiences: A literature review	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	29	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	29	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 Australian College of Midwives. Background: Traumatic birth experiences can cause postnatal mental health disturbance, fear of childbirth in subsequent pregnancies and disruption to mother-infant bonding, leading to impaired child development. Some women may develop postnatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a particularly undesirable outcome. This paper aimed to gain a better understanding of factors contributing to birth trauma, and the efficacy of interventions that exist in the literature. Methods: A literature search was undertaken in April 2015. Articles were limited to systematic reviews or original research of either high to moderate scientific quality. A total of 21 articles were included in this literature review. Findings: Women with previous mental health disorders were more prone to experiencing birth as a traumatic event. Other risk factors included obstetric emergencies and neonatal complications. Poor Quality of Provider Interactions was identified as a major risk factor for experiencing birth trauma. Evidence is inconclusive on the best treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; however midwifery-led antenatal and postnatal interventions, such as early identification of risk factors for birth trauma and postnatal counselling showed benefit. Conclusion: Risk factors for birth trauma need to be addressed prior to birth. Consideration needs to be taken regarding quality provider interactions and education for maternity care providers on the value of positive interactions with women. Further research is required into the benefits of early identification of risk factors for birth trauma, improving Quality of Provider Interactions and how midwifery-led interventions and continuity of midwifery carer models could help reduce the number of women experiencing birth trauma.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/38407