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Abstract
Recent studies show that post‐traumatic stress reactions can occur following childbirth. The role of pre‐event schema as a vulnerability factor in the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms in childbirth has not been investigated. We aimed to determine the relationship between pre‐existing schema and interaction with previous trauma, birth experiences, birth appraisal and social support in the development of post‐traumatic symptoms following childbirth. We undertook a prospective, longitudinal study, whereby 121 first‐time mothers completed questionnaires from 34 weeks in their pregnancy, and of these 108 completed a second set of questionnaires at 6 weeks post‐partum. We found that the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth was significantly related to negative appraisal of the birthing experience and to pre‐existing, maladaptive schemas. We conclude that appraisal of the birthing experience and pre‐existing schemas have an influence on the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the women who participated in this study and also to Dr Cris Burgess for his invaluable assistance with statistics and analysis.