Antenatal and intrapartum interventions to prevent psychological birth trauma: A mixed methods systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To systematically identify interventions that have been delivered to women in the antenatal or intrapartum period to prevent or reduce psychological trauma post childbirth. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was conducted across databases including MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Maternity Infant Care from inception to July 2024. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using recognised frameworks. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving 871 women met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included psychological and psycho-educational interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy, antenatal education and continuous intrapartum supportive care. CONCLUSION: Multi-component interventions delivered in the antenatal period may be effective in preventing or reducing psychological trauma post childbirth in women with histories of traumatic life events. However, further research is required to identify the most effective and acceptable components of an intervention delivered to women in the antenatal or intrapartum period.