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Abstract
Objective: A dissociative experience refers to phenomena such as depersonalization, derealization, amnesia, out of body experience, altered time perception and body image. The aim of this study was to assess dissociative experience during childbirth and the possible related variables. Method: A total of 328 women, up to 72 hours postpartum, completed the peritraumatic dissociative experience questionnaire (PDEQ), the socio-demographic and obstetrical questionnaire, the pain numeric rating scale, the Trauma History Questionnaire and an SCID-I for traumatic events. Results: A total of 11.3% of the sample experienced significant dissociation. In particular, symptoms like a sensation of time changes during the event/things seemed to be happening in slow motion, not being aware of things that happened, and disorientation. A traumatic childbirth, previous trauma, obstetrical complications, forceps, prematurity, complications with the baby, dissatisfaction with the maternity care, unemployment, high score pain during labor and years of schooling were the factors considered. Conclusion: Dissociative experiences can occur during childbirth.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Current knowledge on this subject
Dissociation is one of the many defensive processes used by humans in stressful situations.
Some authors have described dissociative experiences during traumatic childbirth.
Dissociative experience during childbirth appears to be a predictor of childbirth-related PTSD.
What this study adds
Dissociation is one of the many defensive processes used by humans in stressful situations.
Some authors have described dissociative experiences during traumatic childbirth.
Dissociative experience during childbirth appears to be a predictor of childbirth-related PTSD.
What this study adds
Dissociative experiences can occur during childbirth, in particular symptoms such as a sensation of a change in the pace of time during the event/things seeming to be happening in slow motion, not being aware of events, and disorientation.
Traumatic childbirth is an important predictive factor of perinatal dissociation.
Factors associated with dissociative experience during childbirth are the following: previous trauma, obstetrical complications at birth, forceps, prematurity, complications with the baby, dissatisfaction with the maternity care, unemployment, high level of pain, and years of schooling.