Predictive Value of Early Peritraumatic Distress Screening for Childbirth-PTSD Following Unplanned Cesarean Delivery
Predictive Value of Early Peritraumatic Distress Screening for Childbirth-PTSD Following Unplanned Cesarean Delivery
The goal of this observational study is to learn whether early postpartum screening tools can predict the development of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms in individuals who undergo unplanned cesarean delivery.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Participants will:
Researchers will evaluate whether early screening scores are associated with later symptoms of childbirth-related PTSD and postpartum depression, and will assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing routine inpatient screening for psychological birth trauma.
Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) is increasingly recognized as a contributor to maternal morbidity and is more common among individuals who undergo unplanned cesarean delivery. Early identification of individuals at risk for CB-PTSD could allow timely referral to mental health support; however, screening for psychological birth trauma is not routinely performed in the immediate postpartum period.
This prospective observational cohort study will evaluate whether early postpartum screening tools can predict later PTSD symptoms following unplanned cesarean delivery. Participants will complete the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI), the City Birth Trauma Scale - Short Form (CityBiTS-SF), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) within 24-48 hours postpartum. Follow-up surveys at 6 weeks and 3 months postpartum will assess PTSD symptoms using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and depressive symptoms using the EPDS.
The primary objective is to determine whether early postpartum screening scores on the PDI and CityBiTS-SF predict childbirth-related PTSD symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum. Secondary analyses will evaluate diagnostic performance of these tools, associations with postpartum depressive symptoms, and the feasibility of implementing routine postpartum screening for psychological birth trauma.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
katie.seligman@cw.bc.ca604-875-2158