The concept of traumatic childbirth and psychopathological consequences

Childbirth is expected to be a predictable and positive experience in a woman's life. Nevertheless, traumatic experiences related to childbirth have been described for years, which in the most severe cases can result in the onset of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder. According to current evidence, approximately 4.7% of women in the postpartum period meet the diagnostic criteria for Childbirth-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CB-PTSD). Unfortunately, little is known about the aspects of traumatic childbirth, the risk factors for the occurrence of this disorder are insufficiently known, and if it progresses to a clinical diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, it is rarely diagnosed and even less often treated. Perceiving childbirth as a traumatic experience may have numerous consequences, including avoidance of subsequent pregnancies, sexual intimacy, or gynecological examinations; withdrawal from newborn care responsibilities; difficulties with breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding; and strain or dysfunction within the partner relationship. Given this, it is extremely important to increase professional and general awareness of this mental disorder, getting to know the risk factors for its occurrence and possibilities for its diagnosis and treatment.