Subsequent childbirth after previous traumatic birth experience: women's choices and evaluations

Abstract

Background After a traumatic childbirth experience, women are often afraid of future pregnancies, and may be at risk for also experiencing their subsequent childbirth as traumatic. Aims Two questions were investigated regarding women's experience of their subsequent childbirth after a previous traumatic birth: (1) which factors in the previous traumatic birth are associated with the subsequent childbirth experience, and (2) fear of childbirth and coping behaviour during the subsequent pregnancy associated with the subsequent birth experience. Methods A total 474 Dutch women (mean age during traumatic childbirth=28.9 years; SD=3.9) answered an online survey about their previous traumatic and subsequent birth experience. Findings Making a birth plan, choosing a home birth in a high-risk pregnancy, and having a planned caesarean section emerged as statistically significant correlates of positive subsequent birth experience. Conclusion Experiencing control over the subsequent birth might underlie practices associated with more positive subsequent childbirth experience among women with a traumatic childbirth history.