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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Postpartum PTSD symptoms: Emotional responses matter more than obstetric complications
1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology- Angers University Hospital- Angers- France., Obstetrics and gynecology, Angers, France
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A397
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are increasingly recognized as a significant maternal mental health issue. While obstetric complications are often highlighted, recent research suggests that women's emotional and subjective experiences may play a more decisive role.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms one month after childbirth and to identify the most significant obstetric, psychological, and psychosocial risk factors.
METHODS:
A prospective observational study was conducted in a level III maternity hospital between 2021 and 2024. Women were assessed one month postpartum using validated self-report questionnaires: the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ), the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 33).
RESULTS:
Among 995 women included, 11.8% reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms at one month postpartum. Multivariate analysis revealed that peritraumatic dissociation (aOR = 4.84), fear of dying during childbirth (aOR = 2.34), stressful events during pregnancy (aOR = 2.31), and early depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.16 per point on the EPDS) were the strongest predictors. Obstetric complications such as emergency cesarean section or instrumental delivery were not significantly associated with PTSD symptoms after adjustment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Emotional responses during and after childbirth—particularly fear, dissociation, and psychological distress—are more predictive of postpartum PTSD symptoms than medical complications. These findings underscore the need for early screening of emotional risk factors and the implementation of targeted psychological support strategies in the perinatal period.
KEY MESSAGE:
It is essential that they do not rely solely on obstetric outcomes, but incorporate a perspective attentive to maternal mental health. Poster session 1 (Group A)
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are increasingly recognized as a significant maternal mental health issue. While obstetric complications are often highlighted, recent research suggests that women's emotional and subjective experiences may play a more decisive role.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms one month after childbirth and to identify the most significant obstetric, psychological, and psychosocial risk factors.
METHODS:
A prospective observational study was conducted in a level III maternity hospital between 2021 and 2024. Women were assessed one month postpartum using validated self-report questionnaires: the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ), the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 33).
RESULTS:
Among 995 women included, 11.8% reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms at one month postpartum. Multivariate analysis revealed that peritraumatic dissociation (aOR = 4.84), fear of dying during childbirth (aOR = 2.34), stressful events during pregnancy (aOR = 2.31), and early depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.16 per point on the EPDS) were the strongest predictors. Obstetric complications such as emergency cesarean section or instrumental delivery were not significantly associated with PTSD symptoms after adjustment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Emotional responses during and after childbirth—particularly fear, dissociation, and psychological distress—are more predictive of postpartum PTSD symptoms than medical complications. These findings underscore the need for early screening of emotional risk factors and the implementation of targeted psychological support strategies in the perinatal period.
KEY MESSAGE:
It is essential that they do not rely solely on obstetric outcomes, but incorporate a perspective attentive to maternal mental health. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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