Improving mental health and physiological stress responses in mothers following traumatic childbirth and in their infants: study protocol for the Swiss TrAumatic biRth Trial (START).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Emergency caesarean section (ECS) qualifies as a psychological trauma, which may result in postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Maternal PTSD may not only have a significant negative impact on mother-infant interactions, but also on long-term infant development. The partner's mental health may also affect infant development. Evidence-based early interventions to prevent the development of postpartum PTSD in mothers are lacking. Immediately after a traumatic event, memory formation is vulnerable to interference. There is accumulating evidence that a brief behavioural intervention including a visuospatial task may result in a reduction in intrusive memories of the trauma.

Methods and analysis

This study protocol describes a double-blind multicentre ran

SUBMITTER: Sandoz V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6955544 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature