These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder in couples: a qualitative study.
    Author: Nicholls K, Ayers S.
    Journal: Br J Health Psychol; 2007 Nov; 12(Pt 4):491-509. PubMed ID: 17931469.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: Previous research has established that women can develop childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the effect of this on a couple's relationship has not been examined. This study aimed to look at the experience and impact of childbirth-related PTSD in women and their partners. DESIGN: This was a qualitative interview study of six couples, where at least one partner had clinically significant symptoms of childbirth-related PTSD. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted separately with each partner and interview transcripts subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Analysis identified four themes with 18 subthemes as follows: (1) birth factors (pain, negative emotions in labour, perceived lack of control, lack of choice or lack of involvement in decision-making, restricted movement or physical restraint, and expectations not being met); (2) quality of care (information provision, staff factors, continuity of care and environment); (3) effects on relationship with partner (impact on physical relationship, communication within the relationship, negative emotions within the relationship, receiving or giving support from partner, coping together as a couple and overall effect on the relationship); and (4) effects on relationship with child (perceptions of the child and parent-baby bond). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that PTSD may have a negative impact on the couple's relationship and the parent-baby bond.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]