Thousands of women in the UK may be experiencing undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, a new study has indicated. The University of East Anglia (UEA) report found that one in 20 new mothers developed PTSD.
Symptoms of the disorder, which can arise after a difficult pregnancy or birth, include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and persistent troubling thoughts. Dr Megan Foreman, lead researcher and GP, stated that guidelines need to be improved to provide GPs with an evidence-based system for care.
The report, published in the British Journal of General Practice, recommends a validated assessment tool for GPs to use during the routine six-to-eight-week postnatal check. It also suggests that GPs need to be able to sensitively ask women about traumatic pregnancy and birth experiences during these appointments.
An NHS spokesperson said that almost 67,000 women accessed specialist perinatal mental health services last year. They added that all integrated care boards now offer maternal mental health services for women experiencing difficulties linked to birth trauma or loss.