Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Consequences Concerning Quality of Life Until 6 Month Postpartum

Abstract

Background: Literature highlights that postpartum PTSD is a major health issue for between 1-3% of women in the first year after childbirth (Ayers et al. 2014). The aim of our study is to compare women presenting significant PTSD symptoms (group PS) to women without symptoms (group control) in a longitudinal design. Method: 97 women completed questionnaires on three time points: 3rd trimester of pregnancy, 2 and 6 months postpartum. At each time, were assessed postpartum PTSD (PPQ, Pierrehumbert et al., 2004) and Quality of life (SF 36, Warren et al., 1992) Findings: In our French population 11 women presented significant PTSD symptoms (PS) at 6 month postpartum (11,5%) called Group PS . These women showed significantly worst scores in quality of life dimensions such as Role-Emotional (Problems with daily activities as a result of emotional problems) during pregnancy and at 2 month postpartum. Further, group PS describes also more difficulties concerning their social functioning (Extreme and frequent interference with normal social activities due to physical and emotional problems), specially in the first 2 month postpartum. Beyond both groups did not differ for age, number of children, and level of education in our population. Discussion: Our results emphasize the impact of postpartum PTSD on women’s life and should be an issue for health psychologists.