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The aim of the current study was to investigate whether prenatal levels of anxiety sensitivity would predict post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following childbirth. A total of 40 women completed a series of self-report measures, including the Anxiety Sensitivity Index and the General Health Questionnaire at 36 weeks gestation. The women were followed-up 2 weeks postpartum with self-report measures of post-traumatic stress disorder, mood and birth experiences. Correlational analysis revealed that a combination of pre- and postnatal psychological factors as well as obstetric events was related to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Regression analysis revealed that prenatal anxiety sensitivity predicted post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, suggesting that anxiety sensitivity may act as an important vulnerability factor in psychopathological responses to childbirth. Further investigation into this construct seems warranted.
Keogh et al. (Tue,) studied this question.