Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder and its treatment

Abstract

AbstractThe phenomenon of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become more widely recognised in recent years following changes in 1994 to the DSM criteria regarding how a traumatic event was defined. Emerging literature has predominately focused on prevalence rates and risk factors associated with this condition and on the use of debriefing techniques as an attempt to reduce or prevent the development of postnatal PTSD. However, little is known about the efficacy of psychological interventions that have been used to treat PTSD among postnatal women. This review summarises the limited evidence supporting the use of such treatments and discusses the significant challenges in developing and implementing psychological interventions for childbirth-related PTSD.