Perceived Birth Trauma in Macedonian Women

Abstract

Abstract Although the childbearing is perceived as a normal and happy event, new research shows that psychological birth trauma is, however, a universal and not so rare phenomenon. Traumatic birth experiences can cause postnatal mental health disturbances, fear of childbirth in subsequent pregnancies and disruption to mother-infant bonding, leading to possible impaired child development. The purpose of this research was to evaluate collected data from several obstetric clinics, as well as from primary paediatric settings related to ‘Birth Trauma’ in order to review women with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. The study is prospective, starting from January 2021 and ending in December 2022. The psychological instrument used in this research is the Intersect Questionnaire, composed of 59 questions grouped in 8 parts. The obtained results from our study confirmed that birth trauma is not a rare phenomenon in our country. Symptoms correlated with PTSD were present as follows: unpleasant memories (2.7%), anxiety (38.54%), panic (6.47%), trying not to remember the delivery (4.04%), self-accusation (2.16%), negative emotions (1.89%), alienation (4.31%), irritation/aggression (1.89%), self-destruction (1.89%), impulsiveness (4.31%), problems with concentration (3.23%), and sleeping problems (21.88%). These results are alarming. It is imperative to better understand this vulnerable period in a woman’s life. As a general conclusion, we must highlight the importance of perceived birth trauma in women, phenomena which has been confirmed worldwide and which must be overcome as quickly and as successfully as possible.