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. 2019 Dec;40(4):304-310.
doi: 10.1080/0167482X.2018.1512095. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Postpartum psychological distress after emergency team response during childbirth

R Gina Silverstein  1   2 , Michael Centore  3 , Andrea Pollack  3 , Gabrielle Barrieau  4 , Priya Gopalan  5 , Grace Lim  3   6
Affiliations

Postpartum psychological distress after emergency team response during childbirth

R Gina Silverstein et al. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a protocol determining the relationship between emergency team response (ETR) during childbirth and acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Methods: In a prospective, observational, cohort design, women experiencing ETR during childbirth were approached and recruited on postpartum day-1 and followed for six weeks. Demographics, obstetric and birth characteristics, ASD scores and PTSD scores (by Impact of Events Scale, IES and PCL-civilian) were recorded. Recruitment and retention rates were recorded, and scores were compared to women who did not experience ETR. Results: Three hundred sixty-nine were approached and 249 were enrolled (67.5% recruitment rate). One hundred twenty-five completed all procedures (50.2% retention). Twenty experienced ETR (3.5% event rate), 12 enrolled (60.0% recruitment rate) and 8 completed the study (66.7% retention). The ETR group had higher PCL and IES scores (PCL: ETR median 12, non-ETR median 2, p = .08; IES: ETR median 22.5, non-ETR median 20, p = .08). ASD scores were similar between groups. Conclusions: Methodology investigating the link between ETR and postpartum psychological distress is feasible and acceptable. A relationship between ETR and PTSD symptoms appears to exist, with ETR being associated with higher PTSD scores compared to non-ETR childbirths. Methods that incorporate awareness of the unique concerns of vulnerable populations are needed.

Keywords: ASD; PTSD; Postpartum; morbidity; obstetric; trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of Interest

The authors report no financial conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Enrollment and retention of participants. ETR, emergency team response
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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