Postpartum counselling after an emergency cesarean

The aim of this study was to try a model of early postpartum counselling for women after emergency cesarean section. A counselling group (n=50) received three to four consultations during the first 2–3 weeks after delivery. Exposure to traumatic events, and discussion of the implications and consequences of the emergency cesarean section were important parts of the sessions. The women's cognitive appraisal of the delivery was more positive, and posttraumatic stress reactions less serious than in a comparison group (n=49), at 1 and 6 months postpartum. General mental distress of the women in the counselling group was less marked, compared with the comparison group 1 month postpartum. Thus, the women in general appeared to have benefited from the counselling. However, the counselling had no demonstrable effect on two extreme groups; those with the most serious posttraumatic stress reactions and those with the most serious mental distress.