TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2008//
TI  - The psychological consequences of childbirth
JO  - Journal of reproductive and infant psychology
A1  - Leeds, Lesley
A1  - Hargreaves, Isabel
SP  - 108
EP  - 108
VL  - 26
IS  - 2
N2  - It is becoming increasingly recognised that some women develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth. This study aimed to determine whether women experienced symptoms of PTSD and depression at 6-12 months post-partum; and what factors predict the development of psychopathology. This was a retrospective postal study of women who have given birth in the previous 6-12 months. A total of 102 women who delivered in hospital completed measures of PTSD, depression, perceptions of labour and delivery and provided clinical and demographic information at 6-12 months post-partum (mean = 9.5 months). A total of 3.9% showed questionnaire responses suggesting clinically significant levels of PTSD. A further 19.6% women reported sub-clinical symptoms. Regression analysis showed that higher depression scores, fear for the baby and unexpectedness of procedures during labour predicted higher scores on the PTSD measure. A total of 21.5% of women were depressed. A history of mental health problems and the presence of PTSD symptomatology predicted higher depression scores. This study demonstrates that a significant number of women continue to experience some level of PTSD and depression at 9.5 months post-partum. It is important to be aware that births involving unexpected obstetric procedures may precipitate PTSD symptoms in some women.  Keywords: post traumatic stress disorder; childbirth; depression<p /> 
LA  - 
SN  - 0264-6838
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02646830701688299
ID  - ref1
ER  -