Explains postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health problems, including possible causes, treatments and support options. Also has information for friends and family, including support and advice for partners.
Postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It is also known as birth trauma.
You may develop postnatal PTSD if you experience traumatic events during labour or childbirth.
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Examples of traumatic events that may cause postnatal PTSD include:
Some people feel that having a new baby makes up for any traumatic experiences. Or they may think that enjoying being a new parent means they will soon forget about trauma.
But these traumatic experiences can have a negative effect on your relationship with your baby and the people around you.
You may feel disappointed that childbirth was not the experience you were hoping for. Or you might feel angry with the medical staff if you felt that the delivery wasn't handled well.
Your experiences may also make you feel anxious about having another baby in future, in case you have to go through a similar experience during birth.
"I had a traumatic birth. I was so petrified that my son would die that in my head it was easier not to love him just in case."
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This may include:
This may include:
This may include:
The main treatments for PTSD are specific types of talking therapy:
Medication is not normally offered to treat PTSD itself. But there are a few related reasons why your doctor may offer you medication:
See our page on treatments for PTSD for more information.
You might find that certain experiences, situations or people seem to trigger flashbacks or other symptoms. These might include specific reminders of past trauma, such as smells, sounds, words, places, or particular types of book or film.
Some people find things especially difficult on significant dates. For example, this could be the anniversary of a traumatic experience, such as a child's birthday.
If you experience postnatal PTSD, you may find it hard to open up to others. This may be because you feel unable to talk about what has happened to you. But you don't need to be able to describe the trauma to tell someone how you are currently feeling.
It could help to talk to a friend or family member. Or you might want to speak to a professional such as a GP or a trained listener at a helpline. See our page on helplines and listening services for more information.
Everyone has their own response to trauma and it's important to take things at your own pace. For example, it may not be helpful to talk about your experiences before you feel ready.
Try to be patient with yourself. Don't judge yourself for needing time and support to recover from postnatal PTSD.
Peer support brings together people who have similar experiences, to share and listen to each other's experiences. This includes meeting in person at a local peer support group, or joining an online community like Mind's Elefriends.
See our pages on peer support to find out more.
There are organisations that specialise in advice and support for postnatal PTSD, for example the Birth Trauma Association.
See our useful contacts page for details of more organisations who could help.
Coping with postnatal PTSD can be exhausting. You might feel like you can't find the energy to take care of yourself. But where possible, looking after your physical health can make a difference to how you feel emotionally. For example, it can help to spend time outside, look after your diet, and try to do some physical activity.
For more ideas, see our page on ways to look after your mental health when becoming a parent.
This information was published in April 2020. We will revise it in 2023.
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.