Birth Trauma and Its Sequelae

Abstract

Reported international rates of posttraumatic stress disorder due to birth trauma range as high as 5.9%. Trauma associated with perinatal events, however, is often lacking in discussions of women's trauma. The main focus of this article is on the description of 3 qualitative studies on birth trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder due to birth trauma, and the anniversary of a traumatic birth. Birth trauma is placed in the context of trauma theory. Implications for clinical practice are addressed.

KEYWORDS:

• birth trauma
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• traumatic childbirth