Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth is a serious mental disorder that
affects 4–7% of women, usually because of a traumatic birth experience. Symptoms can
negatively affect the mother's self-image, bonding with the child, and the quality of her
relationship with her partner. Early screening is a crucial step in treating women with post
traumatic stress disorder. It is also important to raise awareness about the condition to reduce
stigma and improve the mental health of mothers in the postpartum period. A holistic
approach that includes the physical and psychological well-being of women is key to quality
perinatal care. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine risk factors and explore the
role of midwives in treating women with post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. The
goal of this study is to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals about
the importance of timely recognition and appropriate treatment of post-traumatic stress
disorder after childbirth. Methods: We used a descriptive method with a systematic review
of the literature. We searched for sources in the CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online
Library databases. We used the following keywords in Slovenian and English language:
post-traumatic stress disorder, childbirth, risk factors, midwife; post-traumatic stress
syndrome, childbirth, risk factors, midwife. We presented the search strategy using a
PRISMA diagram and classified the included sources according to the hierarchy of evidence.
When selecting the literature, we considered the criteria of content relevance, availability of
the full text, Slovenian or English language, and year of publication (2015 or later). We
analyzed the studies according to sample size, measurement tools used, and findings on risk
factors for the development of posttraumatic-stress syndrome after birth. Results: The main
risk factors for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth are the
subjective experience of childbirth as a traumatic event, loss of control during birthg,
previous traumatic experiences, a history of mental disorders, lack of social support, and
inadequate communication with healthcare personnel. Midwives play an important role in
preventing post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth, primarily through empathy,
constant presence, respect for birth wishes, and providing a safe environment. Discussion
and conclusion: Based on our research, we can conclude that it is crucial to identify risk
factors and understand the role of midwives as the first point of contact in perinatal care.
High-quality, empathetic, and continuous midwifery care significantly contributes to
reducing the risk of developing the disorder. It is recommended to introduce screening tools
for post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth and to provide additional training for
midwives in the field of mental health of postpartum women.
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