Prospective Associations of Lifetime Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Birth-Related Traumatization With Maternal and Infant Outcomes

Objective: Many women experience traumatic events already prior to or during pregnancy, and delivery of a child may also be perceived as a traumatic event, especially in women with prior post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Birth-related PTSD might be unique in several ways, and it seems important to distinguish between lifetime PTSD and birth-related traumatization in order to examine specific consequences for mother and child. This post-hoc analysis aims to prospectively examine the relation of both, lifetime PTSD (with/without interpersonal trauma) and birth-related traumatization (with/without postpartum depression) with specific maternal and infant outcomes. Methods: In the prospective-longitudinal Maternal in Relation to Infants’ Development (MARI) study, N = 306 women were repeatedly assessed across the peripartum period. Maternal lifetime PTSD and birth-related traumatization were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for women. Maternal health during the peripartum period (incl. birth experience, breastfeeding, anxiety, and depression) and infant outcomes (e.g., gestational age, birth weight, neuropsychological development, and regulatory disorders) were assessed via standardized diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, medical records, and standardized observations. Results: A history of lifetime PTSD prior to or during pregnancy was reported by 25 women who indicated a less favorable psycho-social situation (lower educational level, less social support, a higher rate of nicotine consumption during pregnancy). Lifetime PTSD was associated with pregnancy-related anxieties, traumatic birth experience, and anxiety and depressive disorders after delivery (and in case of interpersonal trauma additionally associated with infant feeding disorder). Compared to the reference group, women with birth-related traumatization (N = 35) indicated numerous adverse maternal and infant outcomes (e.g., child-related fears, sexual problems, impaired bonding). Birthrelated traumatization and postpartum depression was additionally associated with infant feeding and sleeping problems. Conclusion: Findings suggest that both lifetime PTSD and birth-related traumatization are important for maternal and infant health outcomes across the peripartum period. Larger prospective studies are warranted. Implications: Women with lifetime PTSD and/or birth related traumatization should be closely monitored and supported. They may benefit from early targeted interventions to prevent traumatic birth experience, an escalation of psychopathology during the peripartum period, and adverse infant outcomes, which in turn may prevent transgenerational transmission of trauma in the long term

Parental Birth-Related PTSD Symptoms and Bonding in the Early Postpartum Period: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study.

The parent-infant bond following childbirth is an important facilitator of optimal infant development. So far, research has mainly focused on mother-infant bonding. Data on fathers are still sparse. Parental mental health, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), may influence mother-infant relations and/or interactions. There is evidence that both parents can experience PTSD symptoms following childbirth (PTSD-CB). The aim of this study is to investigate the prospective relationship between parental PTSD-CB symptoms at 1 month postpartum and perceived parent-infant bonding at 3 months postpartum, while adjusting for antenatal confounders. A subsample was used for this study (n <sub>Totalsample</sub> 488, n <sub>mothers</sub> = 356, n <sub>fathers</sub> = 132) of an ongoing prospective cohort study. Future parents awaiting their third trimester antenatal appointments at a Swiss university hospital were recruited. Self-report questionnaires assessed PTSD-CB symptoms and psychological distress at 1 month postpartum, and parent-infant bonding at 3 months postpartum. Confounders included antenatal PTSD symptoms and social support measured via self-report questionnaires, and gestity and gestational age, extracted from medical records. Using structural equation modeling, the predictive ability of PTSD-CB symptoms at 1 month postpartum on parent-infant bonding at 3 months postpartum was assessed for both parents respectively. Maternal PTSD-CB symptoms at 1 month postpartum were found to be negatively prospectively associated with mother-infant bonding at 3 months postpartum; however, this effect disappeared after adjusting for psychological distress at 1 month postpartum. No such effects were found for fathers. There was no evidence of mediation of the relationship between parental PTSD-CB symptoms at 1 month postpartum and parental-infant bonding at 3 months postpartum via psychological distress at 1 month postpartum. However, such a mediation was found for maternal intrusion and hyperarousal symptom subscales. Results expand the current literature on the impact of PTSD-CB on parent-child relations to also include fathers, and to a community sample. Any adverse effects of mental health symptoms on parent-infant bonding were evidenced by 3 months postpartum only for mothers, not fathers. Our results may inform the development of prevention/intervention strategies

Dropout or Drop-In Experiences in an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Prevent Depression and Enhance Subjective Well-Being During the Perinatal Period: Qualitative Study

Background: The perinatal period is a vulnerable time when women are at increased risk of depression. “Mamma Mia” is a universal preventive internet-delivered intervention offered to pregnant women, with the primary goals of preventing the onset or worsening of depression and enhancing subjective well-being during the perinatal period. However, treatment dropout from internet-delivered interventions is often reported. Objective: The study aim was to acquire an understanding of the different experiences among participants who dropped out of the Mamma Mia intervention during pregnancy, compared to participants who dropped out during the postpartum follow-up phase. Methods: A total of 16 women from a larger randomized controlled trial (Mamma Mia) participated in individual semistructured interviews following a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats format. Of the 16 participants included, 8 (50%) women dropped out early from the intervention during pregnancy (pregnancy group), whereas 8 (50%) women dropped out later, after giving birth (postpartum follow-up group). Data were analyzed using the framework approach. Results: The results showed that there were differences between the groups. In general, more participants in the postpartum follow-up group reported that the program was user-friendly. They became more aware of their own thoughts and feelings and perceived that the program had provided them with more new knowledge and practical information than participants in the pregnancy group. Participants in both groups suggested several opportunities for improving the program. Conclusions: There were differences between women who dropped out of the intervention during pregnancy and the postpartum follow-up phase. The reported differences between groups should be further examined.Dropout or Drop-In Experiences in an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Prevent Depression and Enhance Subjective Well-Being During the Perinatal Period: Qualitative StudypublishedVersio

Preferences and Barriers to Counseling for and Treatment of Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Postpartum Women: Study Protocol of the Cross-Sectional Study INVITE

The cross-sectional study INVITE (INtimate partner VIolence care and Treatment prEferences in postpartum women) aims to examine treatment and counseling preferences and barriers in relation to the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV), depression and anxiety, and (childbirth-related) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among postpartum women in Dresden, Germany. Currently, the INVITE study consists of an interim sample of N = 1,787 participants with n = 891 completed interviews. Recruitment is ongoing, targeting a community sample of at least N = 4,000 women who complete various quantitative questionnaires via telephone interviews at 3–4 months postpartum. The differences in rates of IPV, postpartum depression and anxiety, and/or (childbirth-related) PTSD as well as treatment and counseling preferences and barriers between affected and non-affected women will be assessed. Further, predisposing variables, past and present stress exposure, enabling resources, as well as past and present health will be examined as predictors of service preferences and barriers. In this study protocol, the theoretical background, methods, as well as preliminary results regarding sociodemographic characteristics and birth-related factors of the interim sample are presented and discussed in terms of their socio-political relevance. Simultaneously assessing IPV, postpartum depression and anxiety, and (childbirth-related) PTSD will facilitate exploring comorbidities and concomitant special needs of affected women. Results of the INVITE study will therefore set the ground for well-aimed development and improvement of treatment and counseling services for the respective target groups by informing health care professionals and policy makers about specific preferences and barriers to treatment. This will yield the possibility to tailor services to the needs of postpartum women

Birth Experience Mediates the Association Between Fear of Childbirth and Mother-Child-Bonding Up to 14 Months Postpartum: Findings From the Prospective Cohort Study DREAM

Objective: To explore the longitudinal associations between prepartum fear of childbirth (FOC), birth experience, and postpartum mother-child-bonding, and the potential mediator role of the birth experience. Design: Women from the prospective cohort study DREAM completed questionnaires during pregnancy, 8 weeks, and 14 months after the birth. Participants: A community sample of n = 645 pregnant women from a large city in Eastern Germany participated in the study. Results: In a regression analysis, FOC predicted negative birth experience (β = 0.208, p < 0.001) which in turn predicted poorer mother-child-bonding both at 8 weeks (β = 0.312, p < 0.001) and 14 months postpartum (β = 0.200, p < 0.001). FOC also predicted mother-child-bonding at 14 months postpartum (β = 0.098, p < 0.05). Of note, this association was mediated by birth experience both at 8 weeks, indirect effect ab = 0.065, 95% CI [0.036, 0.098], and 14 months postpartum, indirect effect ab = 0.043, 95% CI [0.023, 0.067]. These effects remained stable even when adjusting for potential confounders. Key Conclusions: This study suggests that the association between FOC and mother-child-bonding is mediated by birth experience, pointing to the importance of a woman's positive subjective experience. Implications for Practice: Findings reveal two targets for peripartum interventions for women at risk for poor mother-child-bonding, namely the implementation of FOC screenings during pregnancy, and birth experience as mediating factor between FOC and mother-child-bonding. Focusing on the mother's subjective birth experience could aid to identify women at risk for impaired bonding who might need additional support