Are you at risk of developing PP-PTSD?
Are you at risk for developing postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD)? While it is impossible to know exactly what will transpire during labor and delivery, there are factors that make PP-PTSD symptoms more likely.
In the perfect world, every obstetrics provider and birthing center would ask women whether or not they have experienced any of the known risk factors for developing PP-PTSD before they entered the hospital for labor and delivery and then proceed to use preventative strategies to protect mom and baby, but unfortunately, the world isn't there yet. Luckily, you have this post to help you out.
Primary Risk Factors
Follow along, and see if any of these experiences or thoughts sound like they could've been plucked from your mind:
- I am very scared of childbirth
- I have experienced a prior birth experience where I was scared my baby or I might die
- I have been physically abused
- I have been the victim of sexual violence or abuse
- I have had a stillbirth or at least two miscarriages
- I had a baby who passed away before they turned 1
- I have depression
- I have anxiety
- I have PTSD
- I have bipolar disorder
- I have a high-risk pregnancy
- I believe at least two of the following:
- My needs won't be met in a predictable way
- I can't function without help from my significant other
- Cooperation and commitment to others isn't my thing--even to meet my own goals
- I think people should take care of others rather than my own, so I will gain their love and approval
- Ethics and performance is vital, but my own feelings, impulses, or choices don't matter
- I don't have anyone I can rely on for small everyday things
- This is my first child
If You Answered Yes
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