The role of peripartum dissociation as a predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms following childbirth in Israeli Jewish women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the role of peripartum dissociation in the development of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. Furthermore, it examined the relation between life-traumatizing events, in particular childhood sexual abuse (CSA), dissociation tendencies, prenatal PTS, prenatal depression, peripartum dissociation, and postnatal PTS symptoms.

METHOD: A self-report questionnaire was administered to 1,003 Israeli Jewish women (sample after attrition) at mid-pregnancy (18-28 weeks) and at 2 months postnatally.

RESULTS: Women with a history of CSA scored higher on all variables during pregnancy and postpartum. Prenatal PTS symptoms, depression, and dissociation tendencies coincided with higher levels of peripartum dissociation.

CONCLUSION: Screening pregnant women, especially CSA victims, and implementing models of prevention and intervention can assist these women in acquiring better coping strategies during childbirth. Such practices are likely to decrease peripartum dissociation, which may in turn lessen postpartum PTS symptoms.