[Predictors of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder in primiparous mothers]

Identify the potential predictors of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in primiparous mothers.

This longitudinal prospective study evaluated the prevalence of obstetric complications and psychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression, psychic dissociation, PTSD, personality) in the immediate postpartum and after 3-6 months.

Among 456 hospitalized primiparous mothers, 314 were recruited and 212 followed-up prospectively. The prevalence of PTSD symptoms was high and stable through the postpartum (12.7% versus 13.6%). Significant risk factors were associated with postpartum PTSD: social isolation, celibacy or divorce (OR=6.6; P<0.02), history of abortion (OR=6.2; P<0.01) or of infertility (OR=10.4; P<0.007), too long subjective length of labour (OR=3.5; P<0.03), mothers' perceptions of obstetric complications (OR=18.5; P<0.003), high anxiety level at the maternity hospital (OR=3.9; P<0.03), PTSD symptoms after childbirth (OR=6.7; P<0.01) and dependent personality disorder (OR=23.2; P<0.001).

Subjective experience of childbirth, history of obstetric complications, social isolation and dependent personality disorder and high level of stress-anxiety after childbirth are significant predictive factors of postpartum PTSD (3-6 months). The early identification of these factors should lead to early therapeutic intervention in the mothers at risk of PTSD.