Incidence and associated factors with traumatic childbirth in postpartum Brazilian woman

Childbirth may be a traumatic experience for some women. This observational study aimed to describe the incidence of traumatic childbirth in two regional maternity services in Brazil. In addition, the study intended to determine characteristics that are associated with traumatic childbirth. A total of 328 women were interviewed, up to 72 hours postpartum, between July and November 2010. Women were screened for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSMI-IV) criteria for traumatic event using the item A of SCID-I interview for PTSD. Socio-demographic and obstetrical variables, pain score, previous trauma and dissociative experiences in women with and without traumatic childbirth were compared. A total of 53 (16.2%) of the sample fulfilled the criteria for a traumatic event. It observed that some socio-demographic and obstetrical variables may be considered as associated with traumatic childbirth, such as an intermediate level of schooling, high risk pregnancy, obstetrical complications during pregnancy, primiparity, a high pain score, forceps, episiotomy, prematurity, obstetrical complications at birth or with the baby, baby needing hospital care, dissociative experience peripartum, no satisfaction with maternity care, not being well informed of the progress of labor and previous trauma related to urban violence, sexual abuse or domestic violence. Childbirth may be a traumatic event for Brazilian. In this sample traumatic childbirth was associated with pain, previous trauma, dissociative experiences and some socio-demographic and obstetrical variables. Traumatic childbirth constitutes an important mental health problem and need more attention from health.