childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder that can develop in women who have recently given birth. this disorder can also affect men or partners who have observed a difficult birth. its symptoms are not distinct from post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd). it may also be called post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth (ptsd-fc) for broader coverage of this topic, see psychiatric disorders of childbirth. childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorderspecialtyob/gyn, psychiatry articles related topregnancy and mental health overview antenatal depression psychiatric disorders of childbirth childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder postpartum blues postpartum depression postpartum psychosis gender disappointment breastfeeding and mental health miscarriage and mental illness pregnancy options counseling abortion and mental health infant mental health paternal depression signs and symptoms examples of symptoms of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder include intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, as well as symptoms of avoidance (including amnesia for the whole or parts of the event), problems in developing a mother-child attachment, not having sexual intercourse in order to prevent another pregnancy, and avoidance of birth- and pregnancy-related issues. symptoms of increasing stress can be sweating, trembling, being irritated, and sleep disturbances. other examples of symptoms of paternal childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder include anxiety, or intense fear of losing either the child or their partner who is giving birth to it. this can lead to difficulties in the father-child connection. cause birth can be traumatic in different ways. medical problems can result in interventions that can be frightening. the near death of a mother or baby, heavy bleeding, and emergency operations are examples of situations that can cause psychological trauma. premature birth may be traumatic. emotional difficulties in coping with the pain of childbirth can also cause psychological trauma. lack of support, or insufficient coping strategies to deal with the pain are examples of situations that can cause psychological trauma. however, even normal birth can be traumatic, and thus ptsd is diagnosed based on symptoms of the mother and not whether or not there were complications. additionally, in the process of birth, medical professionals who are there to aid the birthing mother may need to examine and perform procedures in the genital regions. the following are correlated with ptsd: medical complications before, during, or after childbirth: pregnancy complications emergency c-section instrumental delivery episiotomy severe pain during birth postpartum complications preterm labour history of infertility inadequate care during labour social, psychological, and other factors: unwanted pregnancy low socioeconomic status primiparous (first labour) parenting (infant caring) problems social support following childbirth cultural factors history of mental health issues other life stressors diagnosis childbirth-related ptsd is not a recognized diagnosis in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. many women presenting with symptoms of ptsd after childbirth are misdiagnosed with postpartum depression or adjustment disorders. these diagnoses can lead to inadequate treatment. epidemiology prevalence of ptsd following normal childbirth in women (excluding stillbirth or major complications) is estimated to be between 2.8% and 5.6% at six weeks postpartum, with rates dropping to 1.5% at six months postpartum. symptoms of ptsd are common following childbirth, with prevalence of 24–30.1% at six weeks, dropping to 13.6% at six months.