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Posttraumatic Stress in Mothers Related to Giving Birth Prematurely: A Mixed Research Synthesis
Cheryl Tatano Beck1, Lisa Harrison2
11 Cheryl Tatano Beck, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
Background:
Globally the preterm birth rate for 184 countries in 2010 was 11.1%. Preterm births can be a traumatic experience for mothers.
Objective:
This article provides a mixed research synthesis of the quantitative and qualitative studies on posttraumatic stress in mothers who have given birth prematurely.
Design:
Narrative synthesis was the mixed research synthesis approach used.
Results:
Included in this narrative synthesis were quantitative prevalence studies ( n = 19), quantitative intervention studies ( n = 6), and qualitative studies ( n = 5). Prevalence rates ranged from 14% to 79%. Four of the intervention studies had significant results and two did not. Qualitative data synthesis revealed five themes: (a) shocked and horrified, (b) consuming guilt, (c) pervasive anxiety and hypervigilance, (d) intrusive thoughts, and (e) numbing and avoiding reminders.
Conclusions:
Women's traumatic experiences of preterm birth are clearly important issues for psychiatric nurses to address.
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