Incidence, correlates and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder in the pregnancy after stillbirth.
BACKGROUND
Many women may suffer psychological symptoms after stillbirth and in the subsequent pregnancy. Stillbirth has not been demonstrated previously to be a stressor for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


OBJECTIVE
To assess incidence, correlates and predictors of PTSD during and after the pregnancy following stillbirth.


METHODS
A cohort study of pregnant women whose previous pregnancy ended in stillbirth.


RESULTS
PTSD symptoms were prevalent in the pregnancy following stillbirth. Case-level PTSD was associated with depression, state-anxiety and conception occurring closer to loss. Symptoms generally resolved naturally by 1 year post-partum (birth of healthy baby).


CONCLUSIONS
Women are vulnerable to PTSD in the pregnancy subsequent to stillbirth, particularly when conception occurs soon after the loss.
Turton
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, London. p.turton@sghms.ac.uk
Hughes
P
P
Evans
C D
CD
Fainman
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001601:Bereavement; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors