What is PTSD after birth or postnatal PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that might develop after people experience or witness a traumatic event. These events include death or serious injury or the threat of these happening.
People might get PTSD after birth if they experienced or witnessed a traumatic event during labour or birth – for example, they feared for their own life, their partner’s life or their baby’s life.
PTSD after birth isn’t common.
Some birthing mothers might have distressing or traumatic birth experiences, but only a small number of them go on to develop PTSD after birth because of these experiences.
A small number of non-birthing parents might also develop PTSD after birth if they witnessed or experienced a traumatic event during their partner’s labour or their baby’s birth.
PTSD after birth is also called postnatal PTSD.
If you or your partner is experiencing symptoms of PTSD after birth, it’s important to seek professional support as soon as you can. When you know what postnatal PTSD symptoms are, you can get help as early as possible.
PTSD after birth symptoms
You might have PTSD after birth if you’ve experienced or witnessed a traumatic event during labour or birth, and:
- You’re experiencing at least 1-2 symptoms from each of the lists below.
- Your symptoms have been going on for at least one month.
- Your symptoms are interfering with your health, daily life or relationships.
- Your symptoms aren’t caused by alcohol, medicine or other drugs, or a medical condition.
Reliving the traumatic event
You have unwanted, distressing and recurring thoughts, memories, nightmares or flashbacks related to the traumatic event during labour or birth.
Avoidance
You avoid:
- thinking or talking about the traumatic labour or birth event
- people, places, conversations, activities, objects or situations that remind you of the event.
Changes in thoughts or emotions
You:
- have trouble remembering important parts of the traumatic labour or birth event
- have lasting strong emotions like fear, helplessness, anger, guilt or shame
- are unable to feel positive emotions like happiness or satisfaction
- lose interest in activities you normally enjoy
- feel emotionally numb or distant from people around you.
Changes in behaviour, alertness or reactions
You:
- are irritable or have angry outbursts
- behave in risky or destructive ways
- feel constantly on high alert or are easily startled
- have sleep or concentration problems that aren’t related to caring for your baby.
You might start to notice these signs immediately after giving birth or weeks or months later.
You don’t need to have all the symptoms of postnatal PTSD to seek professional help. If any of your symptoms are affecting your daily life, it’s still important to get professional help. Getting support early can make a big difference.
Getting help for PTSD after birth
If you think you might have postnatal PTSD, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as you can. The sooner you get help, the faster you’re likely to feel better and recover.
There are many people who can help you, including your
There are also services that can help:
- Australian Psychological Society – Find a psychologist
- Birth Trauma Australia
- ForWhen, PANDA or other parent helplines
- Medicare Mental Health
- MensLine Australia
- QLife for LGBTIQ+ support.
If you’re unsure, your GP can guide you to the most appropriate services.
If you’re having thoughts about hurting yourself or your family, you should urgently speak to your GP or call Lifeline on 131 114. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also call 13 YARN on 139 276. If you believe that someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your local hospital’s emergency department.
Treatment for PTSD after birth
There are many treatment options that can help you if you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD after birth. Your GP or mental health professional will talk with you about a treatment plan that suits you.
Here are some treatment options for postnatal PTSD.
Psychological therapy
Psychological treatments for postnatal PTSD might include trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).
A mental health professional might help you one on one or in a group with other people who have PTSD after birth. Your appointments might be in person or online.
Your GP can refer you to a mental health professional – for example, a psychologist or a psychiatrist. The GP can also give you a mental health treatment plan so you can get a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year.
Medicine
Doctors sometimes recommend antidepressant medicine for PTSD after birth. Depending on your symptoms, antipsychotic medicine might also be helpful.
PTSD after birth: looking after yourself
If you have PTSD after birth, it can take time to feel better. Looking after yourself can help with this.
Here are things you can do:
- Look after your physical health – try to get enough sleep and rest, eat healthy food and exercise regularly.
- Share your feelings about your birth experience with trusted friends or family members.
- Join a support group. You could try Birth Trauma Australia’s support groups or get one-on-one support from someone who also has postnatal PTSD.
- Be aware that reminders of your birth experience might upset you. This might include your baby’s birthday. If you notice that you’re getting upset, it can help to say to yourself, ‘I’m upset because I’m being reminded of the event, but it’s different now. There’s no danger, and I’m safe’.
- Try breathing for relaxation, muscle relaxation, mindfulness or helpful thinking exercises.
- Ask for and accept practical help from family and friends – for example, help with grocery shopping, cleaning and baby care. This will give you more time to look after yourself.
- Put boundaries on your social media use if you’re getting upset by birthing stories. For example, limit social media to 10 minutes a day, and adjust your settings so you see fewer topics that upset you.
- Take a break from conversations about birth experiences if they make you upset. You might say, ‘I think I need a break – I’ll chat with you later’ or ‘Birth stories are a bit overwhelming at the moment – I might take a minute.’
- Wait until you and your partner feel ready before having sex after birth. It can take time to feel comfortable with intimacy after a traumatic birth experience. It’s also OK to ask your partner to stop if you feel upset during sex.
Risk factors for PTSD after birth
You’re more likely to develop PTSD after birth if you’ve experienced:
- disrespect or mistreatment by a health professional or service during pregnancy care or birth
- a premature birth
- birth interventions like an unplanned caesearean birth, forceps birth or vacuum birth
- depression or severe anxiety during pregnancy or your partner’s pregnancy
- family violence
- sexual assault or abuse
- PTSD in the past.
If you have or are at particular risk of having postnatal PTSD, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your midwife, doctor or child and family health nurse. This can help them be sensitive and supportive during your pregnancy and after birth care.