City Research Online

Abstract

Introduction: A traumatic childbirth can lead some women to develop birth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), an emotional stress response associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to identify factors associated with maternal birth-related PTSS in Brazil.

Method: Birth in Brazil I is a perinatal cohort study conducted between 2011 and 2012 with a nationally representative sample of 23,894 women. The first interview was conducted in the maternity ward, followed by two telephone interviews at 6 months and 18 months postpartum. PTSS was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Associations between maternal sociodemographic characteristics, individual and obstetric factors and birth-related PTSS were analyzed using Zero-Inflated Poisson models.

Results: Maternal sociodemographic factors (geographic region, maternal age, years of schooling, and type of healthcare service), individual factors (postpartum depression symptoms), and obstetric factors (presence of a companion during birth, type of birth, obstetric emergencies during pregnancy and childbirth, newborn conditions, the use of non-pharmacological pain relief methods, poor quality of care, absence of respectful caregivers, lack of privacy, unclear information, being excluded from decision-making, and physical obstetric violence) were associated with birth-related PTSS.

Discussion/Conclusion: Sociodemographic, individual, and obstetric factors may affect the development of birth-related PTSS. A positive childbirth experience plays a key role in prevention, suggesting that improving the quality of childbirth care can reduce the risk of PTSS. These findings enhance understanding of birth-related PTSS and can support public policies aimed at prevention. Further research is needed to examine additional factors and their interactions with PTSS.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Publisher Keywords:	Birth-related posttraumatic stress, Maternal mental health, Traumatic childbirth
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Nursing & Midwifery
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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