Medical Discrimination and Traumatic Childbirth: Predictors for Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PPTSD) is a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder that disproportionately affects women of color. Despite racial disparities in prevalence, treatment, and health outcomes in maternal mental health, there is limited research exploring PPTSD within a Black sample. This study used a reproductive justice framework to examine risk factors for the development of PPTSD in 159 Black women who were within the first year postpartum. Findings include a prevalence rate of 12% for new onset of PPTSD in the context of traumatic childbirth; moreover, 26% of participants endorsed clinically significant trauma symptoms while remaining below the diagnostic threshold. Perceived medical discrimination and history of trauma reliably predicted PPTSD symptoms. Births requiring greater obstetric intervention were associated with greater PPTSD symptoms. Clinical implications and recommendations are provided on systemic, institutional, and individual levels.