Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots
Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) affect around 12% of postpartum individuals. While the subjective experience of childbirth is a key predictor of CB-PTSS, the specific defining characteristics of negative birth experiences remain poorly understood. This study aims to refine...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2469290 |
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| author | Meike K. Blecker Daria Daehn Sinha Engel Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen Susan Garthus-Niegel Christine Knaevelsrud Sarah Schumacher |
| author_facet | Meike K. Blecker Daria Daehn Sinha Engel Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen Susan Garthus-Niegel Christine Knaevelsrud Sarah Schumacher |
| author_sort | Meike K. Blecker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) affect around 12% of postpartum individuals. While the subjective experience of childbirth is a key predictor of CB-PTSS, the specific defining characteristics of negative birth experiences remain poorly understood. This study aims to refine our understanding of negative birth experiences by investigating intrapartum hotspots, i.e. moments of extreme distress, and their association with CB-PTSS. In a cross-sectional study of N = 1,140 individuals who had given birth eight to ten weeks before, we examined the following: the types of hotspots, differences in hotspot-related distress, interpersonal difficulties during the hotspot, and CB-PTSS between the various types of hotspots and whether hotspot-related distress and interpersonal difficulties independently predicted CB-PTSS. Participants completed several items based on previous qualitative work [1] to assess the worst hotspot, hotspot-related distress, and interpersonal difficulties during the hotspot and the City Birth Trauma Scale to measure CB-PTSS, alongside relevant pregnancy- and birth-related questions. Medical interventions were the most frequently experienced worst hotspot and separation from the child was associated with the highest levels of hotspot-related distress, interpersonal difficulties, and CB-PTSS. Hotspot-related distress and interpersonal difficulties independently predicted CB-PTSS. Examining intrapartum hotspots poses a promising approach to define highly negative birth experiences. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-19d81e67151d4ecc96b498816bd1032e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0167-482X 1743-8942 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| spelling | doaj-art-19d81e67151d4ecc96b498816bd1032e2025-08-20T03:48:14ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology0167-482X1743-89422025-12-0146110.1080/0167482X.2025.2469290Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspotsMeike K. Blecker0Daria Daehn1Sinha Engel2Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen3Susan Garthus-Niegel4Christine Knaevelsrud5Sarah Schumacher6Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, GermanyDivision of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, GermanyDepartment of Experimental Psychopathology, Institute for Psychology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, GermanyFaculty of Medicine, Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, GermanyFaculty of Medicine, Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, GermanyDivision of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, GermanyClinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, GermanyChildbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) affect around 12% of postpartum individuals. While the subjective experience of childbirth is a key predictor of CB-PTSS, the specific defining characteristics of negative birth experiences remain poorly understood. This study aims to refine our understanding of negative birth experiences by investigating intrapartum hotspots, i.e. moments of extreme distress, and their association with CB-PTSS. In a cross-sectional study of N = 1,140 individuals who had given birth eight to ten weeks before, we examined the following: the types of hotspots, differences in hotspot-related distress, interpersonal difficulties during the hotspot, and CB-PTSS between the various types of hotspots and whether hotspot-related distress and interpersonal difficulties independently predicted CB-PTSS. Participants completed several items based on previous qualitative work [1] to assess the worst hotspot, hotspot-related distress, and interpersonal difficulties during the hotspot and the City Birth Trauma Scale to measure CB-PTSS, alongside relevant pregnancy- and birth-related questions. Medical interventions were the most frequently experienced worst hotspot and separation from the child was associated with the highest levels of hotspot-related distress, interpersonal difficulties, and CB-PTSS. Hotspot-related distress and interpersonal difficulties independently predicted CB-PTSS. Examining intrapartum hotspots poses a promising approach to define highly negative birth experiences.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2469290Childbirth-related posttraumatic stressCB-PTSSCB-PTSDintrapartum hotspotschildbirth experience |
| spellingShingle | Meike K. Blecker Daria Daehn Sinha Engel Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen Susan Garthus-Niegel Christine Knaevelsrud Sarah Schumacher Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress CB-PTSS CB-PTSD intrapartum hotspots childbirth experience |
| title | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots |
| title_full | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots |
| title_fullStr | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots |
| title_full_unstemmed | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots |
| title_short | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots |
| title_sort | childbirth related posttraumatic stress symptoms exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots |
| topic | Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress CB-PTSS CB-PTSD intrapartum hotspots childbirth experience |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2469290 |
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