Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder

Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder that can develop in women who have recently given birth, and it can also affect partners who witnessed a difficult birth. Its symptoms are not distinct from those of post-traumatic stress disorder in general, and it is also called post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth. Reported symptoms include anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares, avoidance of birth and pregnancy related matters, fear of pregnancy, and fear of losing the child. About 4.7 percent of mothers are described as developing it, although up to half of women call their births traumatic. Causes include frightening medical interventions, heavy bleeding, emergency operations, a near death of mother or baby, premature birth and lack of support. Obstetric racism is reported to worsen mistrust of care.