Changes to women's childbirth plans during the COVID-19 pandemic and posttraumatic stress symptoms: a cross-national study.

ABSTRACT: A considerable number of women giving birth during COVID-19 pandemic reported being concerned about changes to their childbirth plans and experiences due to imposed restrictions. Research prior to the pandemic suggests that women may be more at risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to unmet expectations of their childbirth plans. Therefore, this study aimed to examine if the mismatch between women's planned birth and actual birth experiences during COVID-19 was associated with women's postpartum PTSS. Women in the postpartum period (up to 6 months after birth) across 11 countries reported on childbirth experiences, mental health, COVID-19-related factors, and PTSS (PTSD checklist DSM-5 version) using self-report questionnaires (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04595123). More than half (

SUBMITTER: Mesquita A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11116223 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature