Unseen Trauma: Recognizing and Understanding Childbirth-Related PTSD

A new study by Dr. Rotem Kahlon of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee at Bar-Ilan University, in collaboration with Prof. Yonatan Handelszalts and Prof. Aviva Mimouni-Bloch, highlights a concerning phenomenon: even healthcare professionals who support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period may struggle to recognize post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when it develops following childbirth.

Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study examined how professionals interpret common PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance. The researchers found that when these symptoms followed events such as a car accident, terrorist attack, or sexual assault, they were relatively easily identified as PTSD. However, when the exact same symptoms appeared after childbirth, the likelihood of the condition being recognized as PTSD was significantly lower.

The study also found that emotional distress following a traumatic birth is often attributed to postpartum depression, despite the fact that these are distinct conditions with different characteristics and treatment approaches. As a result, some women may not receive the appropriate diagnosis and support in a timely manner.

These findings have important clinical and societal implications. Underrecognition of postpartum PTSD may prolong psychological suffering, hinder recovery, and negatively affect the mother-infant relationship as well as the well-being of the entire family. The study underscores the need to raise awareness of this condition and provide targeted training for healthcare professionals to enable earlier recognition and more appropriate support for women coping with the consequences of traumatic childbirth.