The longitudinal course of post-traumatic stress after childbirth.
Post-traumatic stress was assessed in early and late pregnancy, and 1, 4, 7, and 11 months postpartum by means of questionnaires among 1224 women. Thirty-seven women (3%) had post-traumatic stress (meeting criteria B, C, and D for PTSD) at least once within 1-11 months postpartum. In pregnancy, depression, severe fear of childbirth, 'pre'-traumatic stress, previous counseling related to pregnancy/childbirth, and self-reported previous psychological problems were associated with an increased risk of having post-traumatic stress within 1-11 months postpartum. Sum-scores of post-traumatic stress did not decrease over time among women who at least once had post-traumatic stress (criteria B, C, and D) within 1-11 months postpartum. Women with post-traumatic stress also showed a decrease in perceived social support over time postpartum.
Söderquist
Johan
J
Department of Social and Welfare Studies (ISV), Linköping University, Campus Norrköping, S-601 74 Norrköping, Sweden. johso@isv.liu.se
Wijma
Barbro
B
Wijma
Klaas
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016017:Odds Ratio; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors