Psychiatry
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From the Journals

Reducing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Traumatic Childbirth

A recent report examined the effectiveness of various therapies and early interventions for preventing and reducing PTSD following traumatic childbirth.

Conexiant

Traumatic childbirth can lead to childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) in many women. Currently, no standard treatment exists in routine care to prevent or mitigate this condition.

Brief psychological therapies, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and midwife-led counseling, given shortly after childbirth may be associated with a reduction in symptoms of CB-PTSD, according to a recent report.

The recent systematic review and meta-analysis, published in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, evaluated the effectiveness of various therapies in preventing and treating CB-PTSD, with the aim to identify promising interventions and optimal timing for their delivery. This study analyzed 41 clinical trials, including 32 randomized controlled trials and 9 nonrandomized trials, focusing on psychological and educational interventions.

Key Findings

  • Secondary Prevention: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and midwife-led counseling were particularly effective, with standardized mean differences (SMDs) of –0.95 and –0.91, respectively.
  • Tertiary Prevention: Interventions provided later for those already showing CB-PTSD symptoms demonstrated smaller but potentially meaningful effects (SMD = –0.37). Trauma-focused therapies were the most effective.
  • Promising Early Interventions: Single-session therapies within 96 hours post-birth and brief, structured trauma-focused therapies showed significant benefits. Midwife-led, dialogue-based psychological counseling also demonstrated positive effects.
  • Innovative Approaches: Nontraditional methods, such as memory consolidation blockage using the Tetris game and mindfulness, were identified as areas needing further research. Mother-infant–focused therapies require more empirical support despite showing potential benefits.

The study authors concluded that early psychological interventions following traumatic childbirth are linked to a reduction in CB-PTSD symptoms, and that trauma-focused therapies and structured counseling are particularly effective when delivered shortly after childbirth. Further research is required to investigate innovative approaches and their long-term effects.

The authors reported no conflict of interest.