Birth trauma in a population requiring inpatient mental health care in the postpartum period

Abstract

Objective This study explores rates of birth-related symptoms of trauma in a population of parents experiencing severe perinatal mental illness. Method Birthing-parents admitted to a perinatal inpatient unit completed birth trauma measures on admission which were descriptively analyzed. Results The population had higher rates of birth-related potentially traumatic events and trauma-related symptoms than the general population. Conclusions The findings highlight that assessing for and responding to experiences of birth trauma is highly relevant to an inpatient perinatal population.