Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

When women experience real or perceived trauma before, during, or after childbirth, they can develop Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Fortunately, women who seek early treatment for postpartum PTSD are more likely to restore their quality of life, improve their ability to bond with their child, and feel like themselves again. Find a Therapist Now

What Is Postpartum PTSD?

Postpartum PTSD is a mental health condition that can affect you following childbirth. It develops from a traumatic experience that occurred before, during, or shortly after the birth.

This traumatic incident could have been real or perceived. Either way, the result is a chronic mental health issue that creates anxiety or panic-like symptoms and causes you to live in constant fear of danger.

Like other forms of PTSD, women with postpartum PTSD often suffer flashbacks or memories that remind them of the trauma they experienced.

And, while postpartum PTSD is separate from depression, the two are not mutually exclusive. Postpartum PTSD and postpartum depression can occur together, creating further challenges.

The good news is that with early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, you can be hopeful of a full recovery and living without fear.

Postpartum PTSD Symptoms

Postpartum PTSD has a distinct set of symptoms that you may have experienced.

These symptoms set it apart from postpartum depression, anxiety, or other postpartum mental health conditions that people are more familiar with.

Common sets of postpartum PTSD symptoms experienced by new mothers:

  • Repetitively re-experiencing the trauma in an intrusive and uncontrollable way
  • Suffering from flashbacks, nightmares, and/or memories of trauma
  • Being reminded of the trauma through triggering events
  • Actively avoiding anything that will trigger the trauma, such as specific people or places
  • Remaining constantly on edge, hyper-vigilant, or aware of perceived threats and danger
  • Reacting exaggeratedly to perceived threats or dangers (such as being excessively startled by sounds or touch)
  • Feeling detached or disconnected from reality and people
  • Suffering anxiety and panic attacks
  • Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or remembering things
  • Worsening of depression or anxiety symptoms
  • Physical symptoms such as stomach aches or headaches

If you have postpartum PTSD, you may feel as though you are in a constant state of distress, activating your brain’s “fight or flight” mode.

Living this way can be scary and confusing and cause a mixture of the physical, mental, emotional and behavioral symptoms listed above.

Who Does Postpartum PTSD Affect?

Postpartum PTSD is a relatively unknown condition, in part because PTSD is often associated with soldiers or emergency response personnel, not women and mothers.

However, some studies have shown that over 30% of women suffer some symptoms of PTSD after childbirth.

These studies also found that between 3% and 7% of women suffer postpartum PTSD after childbirth. Other studies place the prevalence of postpartum PTSD as high as 9 percent.

Postpartum PTSD, like many postpartum depression subtypes, may also be severely underdiagnosed, as it has only recently been considered a serious condition for women.

For this reason, many new mothers are not assessed for the residual effects of traumatic experiences and never receive the help they need to feel better.

Postpartum PTSD Causes

PTSD, in general, is caused by experiencing one or several traumatic incidents that have imprinted the mind.

In the case of postpartum PTSD, the traumatic incident that triggers these symptoms directly involves the pregnancy, delivery, or an event relating to childbirth that resulted in a traumatic birth experience.

Examples of traumatic experiences that may cause postpartum PTSD include:

  • Difficult, long, and painful child labor
  • The use of forceps or vacuum on the baby during delivery
  • Having to undergo an emergency cesarean-section (C-section)
  • A health threat or crisis to either the mother or the baby during pregnancy or childbirth
  • Umbilical cord prolapse
  • The baby being placed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
  • A lack of support or communication during delivery causes feelings of hopelessness and despair
  • Any physical condition such as postpartum hemorrhage, a hysterectomy, preeclampsia or eclampsia, severe perineal trauma, or any form of cardiac condition

These are only some potential traumatic incidents and complications that can occur during childbirth. There may be other events that can trigger postpartum PTSD symptoms as well.

Postpartum PTSD Risk Factors

Just because a woman has suffered trauma during pregnancy or childbirth doesn’t necessarily mean she will develop postpartum PTSD.

Other risk factors make women more susceptible to developing PTSD symptoms after a traumatic childbirth event.

Here are some of the potential postpartum PTSD risk factors:

  • A history of past trauma such as rape, sexual abuse, violence, or an accident
  • A history of PTSD symptoms from past trauma
  • A history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems
  • A lack of social support from friends and family members
  • A high-risk pregnancy or one that involves complications
  • Negative interactions or experiences with healthcare providers or clinicians

If a woman is reminded of threats, anxiety, or other forms of distress, it can trigger PTSD symptoms and develop into what is known as postpartum PTSD. Therefore, simple memories of trauma can activate postpartum PTSD symptoms.

Postpartum PTSD vs Postpartum Depression

While postpartum PTSD and postpartum depression are both types of postpartum mental health disorders, they are very different conditions.

Key differences between postpartum PTSD and PPD include:

  • Postpartum PTSD is caused by experiencing trauma during childbirth or delivery. Postpartum depression is usually caused by a combination of hormonal changes and additional stress and responsibilities after having a baby.
  • The primary symptoms of postpartum PTSD are intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance, and emotional numbing. The primary symptoms of postpartum depression are extreme sadness and frequent crying.
  • Postpartum PTSD is typically treated with trauma-focused therapies, while postpartum depression can be treated with a variety of different therapies.

Both conditions can severely impact your life and make it difficult to care for and bond with your new baby. However, they are both very treatable, with higher success rates associated with early intervention.

How Long Does Postpartum PTSD Last?

How long your postpartum PTSD lasts will depend on individual factors, such as the severity of your disorder and how quick you are to get professional treatment.

Postpartum PTSD symptoms should be temporary if they are treated promptly and adequately.

However, if a diagnosis isn’t reached and treatment is not sought, postpartum PTSD can have devastating long-term effects on mental and personal health. The worst-hit areas are daily life functions and personal relationships.

Women who do not seek treatment and continue to experience PTSD in the postpartum period may have trouble taking care of themselves and their infants.

With these factors in mind, postpartum PTSD can last a few months for some women to several years for others if left untreated.

Diagnosing Postpartum PTSD

Like other forms of postpartum mental health disorders, postpartum PTSD can only officially be diagnosed by a healthcare provider or mental health professional.

To be diagnosed, you will need to take part in a clinical interview as well as fill out screening tools such as the Perinatal PTSD Questionnaire (PPQ).

Your diagnosis will be based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. This is an important manual used in the psychiatry community for diagnosing various psychiatric disorders.

Once you have received a diagnosis, you can work out a personalized treatment plan with your healthcare provider and work toward feeling better.

Postpartum PTSD Outlook (Prognosis)

Postpartum PTSD is considered highly treatable. The outlook for it is generally positive as long as you receive timely and effective treatment.

Ways you can improve your postpartum PTSD prognosis include: 

  • Seeking treatment early, at the first signs that something is wrong
  • Having a strong support system
  • Engaging in self-care and relaxation practices
  • Seeking ongoing support and management for your condition for the long term

Treating and learning to manage postpartum PTSD can improve outcomes and quality of life for both mother and baby.

Relapse is always a possibility for people with PTSD. So, it is vital to be aware of the signs and have friends or family members you can turn to for support.

Postpartum PTSD Treatment

Symptoms of postpartum PTSD are highly treatable. Many women who receive treatment for trauma go on to live normal lives and never experience reminders and flashbacks of the event again.

Women first need to recognize their symptoms and seek treatment to overcome their fears and reduce the level of distress in their lives.

Early treatment for postpartum PTSD also prevents the condition from manifesting in other destructive ways, such as eating disorders, addiction, compulsive behavior, or suicide.

If you are experiencing postpartum PTSD, seek the advice of a physician or mental health professional as soon as you notice the signs and symptoms.

Trauma Focused Therapy

Psychotherapy options are highly effective forms of PTSD treatment and include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy
  • Narrative Exposure Therapy

These therapies can be conducted by psychiatrists, psychologists, or other mental health care professionals. These treatments usually take a trauma-informed approach to treating PTSD.

The main goals of trauma-informed therapy are to help you process your trauma, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and improve your health and well-being.

Medications

In addition to therapy, medications can help many women to manage their severe symptoms.

Never take medications without speaking to your doctor first. This is especially true if you are breastfeeding, as certain medications may not be safe.

Common medications used for postpartum PTSD include:

  • Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed for postpartum PTSD, including Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil.
  • Anti-anxiety medications: Benzodiazepines can be prescribed for women with postpartum PTSD, including Xanax and Valium, and are considered safe as long as they are taken in moderation and only as prescribed.

Break Free from Postpartum PTSD

If you are currently living with postpartum PTSD, you know personally how difficult it can be and how looking to the future can be a challenge.

With a positive outlook and dedication toward treatment, you can break free from the symptoms of PTSD and learn to feel like yourself again.

To find a licensed and highly reviewed therapist for professional help in your area, browse through our comprehensive directory of therapists today.

Postpartum PTSD FAQs

What are the symptoms of PTSD after birth?

Symptoms of PTSD after birth can depend on the type of traumatic birth that was experienced and other factors, including the severity of the condition.

Symptoms of postpartum PTSD include: 

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nightmares
  • Hypervigilance
  • Flashbacks
  • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Irritability

How is postpartum PTSD treated?

Postpartum PTSD is typically treated with therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

In addition to therapy, postpartum PTSD is often treated with medication, support groups, and a strong regimen of self-care.

What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?

Trauma refers to a distressing or traumatic event that causes emotional and psychological damage to a person. At the same time, PTSD is a specific mental health condition that develops from exposure to trauma.

Both trauma and PTSD can have substantial effects on a woman’s daily functioning and, at times, even make it difficult to care for her newborn.

PostpartumDepression.org Team
Reviewed by:Kimberly Langdon M.D.

Medical Editor

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Kimberly Langdon is a Doctor of Medicine and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1991. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University Hospitals, Department of OB/GYN. Board-Certified in 1997, she is now retired from clinical practice after a long and successful career. Currently, she is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of a Medical Device Company that is introducing patented products to treat vaginal microbial infections without the need for drugs. She is an expert in Vaginal Infections, Menstrual disorders, Menopause, and Contraception.

Written by:

Jenna Carberg was diagnosed with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter in 2016. It was a healthy birth but in the following days, Jenna's mood changed quickly. Doctors suggested that it might be the "baby blues", but her husband Chris suggested she seek a second opinion. Jenna was diagnosed with postpartum depression and began a journey that lasted 9 long months with significant ups and downs. Jenna's mental health care and her experiences became a passion for her to share with the world. She and her husband Chris founded PostpartumDepression.org as a support website designed to help women suffering in silence and their loved ones.

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