Perspectives on perinatal stressful and traumatic experiences

The process of emotional and cognitive reorganization intrinsic to pregnancy and birth posits the woman in a situation that is by definition a stressful event (Broekman, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to serve as an exploration of parental response to stressful and traumatic events that occur in the perinatal period and to consider their consequences upon the woman and her child. Qualitative and quantitative research studies, addressing maternal distress and trauma response to pregnancy, labor, delivery and the aftermath of childbirth, were considered. Four main themes were identified: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders, depression, and dissociation. Even though the review cannot be considered complete, findings highlight the need to acknowledge that both trauma and stressful events may contribute to mental health issues. Therefore, it is important to support mothers by trauma and distress-informed professionals, and to enhance the woman's resources to promote her wellbeing, as well as her child's.