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. 2021 Jan-Mar;35(1):57-67.
doi: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000543.

NICU-Specific Stress Following Traumatic Childbirth and Its Relationship With Posttraumatic Stress

Meghan Sharp  1 , Nichelle Huber, L G Ward, Christyn Dolbier
Affiliations

NICU-Specific Stress Following Traumatic Childbirth and Its Relationship With Posttraumatic Stress

Meghan Sharp et al. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2021 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

This mixed-methods pilot study investigated maternal perceived stress specific to infant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization as a moderator of the relationship between traumatic childbirth appraisal and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). NICU mothers (N = 77) were recruited via social media 1 to 4 months postpartum for a cross-sectional survey about perinatal experiences. Measures included traumatic childbirth, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and Parental Stressor Scale (PSS): NICU. Quantitative results indicated that, only at high levels of stress, women who reported traumatic childbirth (68%) reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms [b = 18.00, standard error = 7.18, t = 2.51, P = .015, 95% confidence interval (3.65, 32.36)]. Qualitative analysis identified additional stressors: maternal emotional well-being, dissatisfaction with care, infant health problems, breastfeeding, and additional characteristics of the NICU environment. Results provide supportive evidence that NICU mothers are at high risk for childbirth-related trauma and PTSD. Perceived stress related to the NICU may be an important intervention target when developing trauma-informed patient care. In addition to the domains captured by the PSS: NICU, maternal emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships with NICU staff, and stress related to breastfeeding are additional areas for improvement in the family-centered NICU.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conditional effect of traumatic childbirth appraisal on PTSD symptomology based on low and high levels of NICU stress. Note: Low and high values of NICU stress represent 1 standard deviation from the sample mean PSS: NICU score. Low = 48.60, moderate = 71.95, and high = 95.31. NICU indicates neonatal intensive care unit; PSS, Parental Stressor Scale; PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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