What is birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
After childbirth, women may also experience post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD includes two key elements: (1) experiencing or witnessing an event involving actual or threatened danger to the self or others, and (2) responding with intense fear, helplessness or horror. Symptoms of birth-related PTSD may include: • Obsessive thoughts about the birth • Feelings of panic when near the site where the birth occurred • Feelings of numbness and detachment • Disturbing memories of the birth experience • Nightmares • Flashbacks • Sadness, fearfulness, anxiety or irritability What is postpartum psychosis? In rare cases, women may experience postpartum psychosis (PPP), a condition that affects about one-tenth of 1 percent of new mothers. Onset is quick and severe, and usually occurs within the first two to three weeks following childbirth. Symptoms are similar to those of general psychotic reactions such as delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (false perceptions), and often includ
