Effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on maternal adaptation and newborn perception in the postpartum period

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on maternal adaptation and newborn perception in postpartum primiparous mothers. The research was designed as descriptive and cross-sectional. A total of 378 mothers who were in postpartum 6-8 weeks were reached. Of the 378 mothers participating in the study, 97 (25.7%) scored above the posttraumatic stress scale cut-off point (≥ 33). After vaginal childbirth, primiparous mothers with PTSD in the postpartum period were found to have weaker maternal adaptation and newborn perception than mothers without (p < 0.001). It was determined that primiparous mothers with PTSD who have experienced traumatic birth have difficulty in adapting to motherhood and have problems in perceiving, accepting, and bonding with the newborn. Mothers in the postpartum period should be screened for PTS symptoms by home visits by health professionals to ensure that mothers receive the necessary psychological support and care.

KEYWORDS:

• Maternal adaptation
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• newborn perception
• postpartum period
• midwifery

Acknowledgements

This study is based on a master’s thesis written by GY. The author would like to thank all the participants for being a part of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

An approval was obtained from both the local ethical board (Registration number: #14447/2019) and the Provincial Health Directorate (Institution approval number: #93276592-773.03/2019).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gamze Yurt

Gamze Yurt is a master student at Selcuk University and works as a midwife in a health center in Aksaray. Her research interests are: traumatic birth, postpartum period, maternal adaptation to the postpartum period and newborn perception.

Seyhan Çankaya

Seyhan Çankaya, Ph.D. is a Researcher at University of Selcuk University, Turkey. Her research interests focus on breastfeeding problems of mothers and newborn health and, including the impact of maternal mental health.