title: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been discussion about the possible occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mothers after difficult childbirth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four cases with a symptom profile suggestive of PTSD commencing within 48 hours of childbirth are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PTSD was in each case associated with the delivery. In each case, there was an associated depressive illness. All four had persistent disorders, and two had difficulties with mother/infant attachment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As confirmed by other reports, the prevalence of PTSD associated with childbirth is a matter of concern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Ballard
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Brockington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology