Birth Trauma and PTSD: Global Burden, Economic Costs and Prevention
University of London
Birth trauma and postpartum childbirth-related PTSD are increasingly recognised as a major public health concern. This talk will outline both the prevalence and risk factors associated with traumatic childbirth, drawing on international evidence including the INTERSECT study – the largest cross-national study of birth trauma to date. This will illustrate patterns of risk factors across diverse settings as well as highlighting the importance of unique socio-economic, cultural, and healthcare factors. Recent research on the economic cost postpartum PTSD will be discussed, emphasising the need for trauma-informed care and respectful maternity services. By framing birth trauma as a global issue, this talk emphasises the need for respectful maternity practices and targeted strategies to prevent traumatic experiences and better support women in the postpartum period.
Polish 
English