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Updated: May 28, 2026

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Dissociative experience during childbirth
Carla Fonseca Zambaldi1, Amaury Cantilino, Jacqueline Albuquerque Farias
1Neuropsychiatry, Federal University of Permanbuco, Professor Moraes Rego 1235, Cidadeuniversitaria, Recife, Brazil. carlafza@hotmail.com
Objective:
A dissociative experience refers to phenomena such as depersonalization, derealization, amnesia, out of body experience, altered time perception and body image. The aim of this study was to assess dissociative experience during childbirth and the possible related variables.
Method:
A total of 328 women, up to 72 hours postpartum, completed the peritraumatic dissociative experience questionnaire (PDEQ), the socio-demographic and obstetrical questionnaire, the pain numeric rating scale, the Trauma History Questionnaire and an SCID-I for traumatic events.
Results:
A total of 11.3% of the sample experienced significant dissociation. In particular, symptoms like a sensation of time changes during the event/things seemed to be happening in slow motion, not being aware of things that happened, and disorientation. A traumatic childbirth, previous trauma, obstetrical complications, forceps, prematurity, complications with the baby, dissatisfaction with the maternity care, unemployment, high score pain during labor and years of schooling were the factors considered.
Conclusion:
Dissociative experiences can occur during childbirth.
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