Subsequent childbirth after a previous traumatic birth.
BACKGROUND
Nine percent of new mothers in the United States who participated in the Listening to Mothers II Postpartum Survey screened positive for meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Women who have had a traumatic birth experience report fewer subsequent children and a longer length of time before their second baby. Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder impacts couples' physical relationship, communication, conflict, emotions, and bonding with their children.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of women's experiences of a subsequent childbirth after a previous traumatic birth.


METHODS
Phenomenology was the research design used. An international sample of 35 women participated in this Internet study. Women were asked, "Please describe in as much detail as you can remember your subsequent pregnancy, labor, and delivery following your previous traumatic birth." Colaizzi's phenomenological data analysis approach was used to analyze the stories of the 35 women.


RESULTS
Data analysis yielded four themes: (a) riding the turbulent wave of panic during pregnancy; (b) strategizing: attempts to reclaim their body and complete the journey to motherhood; (c) bringing reverence to the birthing process and empowering women; and (d) still elusive: the longed-for healing birth experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Subsequent childbirth after a previous birth trauma has the potential to either heal or retraumatize women. During pregnancy, women need permission and encouragement to grieve their prior traumatic births to help remove the burden of their invisible pain.
Beck
Cheryl Tatano
CT
School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2026, USA. cheryl.beck@uconn.edu
Watson
Sue
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*