---
title: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
---

[![The Wilderman Fund](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TWF%20FUND_BLACK_Horizontalv1_white.png?width=5223&name=TWF%20FUND_BLACK_Horizontalv1_white.png "The Wilderman Fund")](https://www.wildermanfund.org)

![PTSD.jpg](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PTSD.jpg?width=1389&name=PTSD.jpg "PTSD.jpg")

### **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)**

Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder caused by real and/or perceived trauma during childbirth. Also called Birth Trauma, Postpartum PTSD affects over 10% of postpartum women, and also OBs and L&D Nurses. Postpartum PTSD is the same illness with the same symptoms as PTSD in War Veterans. The psychology and physical symptoms of PTSD do not discriminate.

**Birth Trauma can result from any unexpected event, such as:**

- Feeling loss of control and powerless
- Inadequate communication during delivery, with the partner, OB, nurse, or anyone involved
- Insufficient support
- Fetal or infant complications
- Unplanned C-Sections
- Need for NICU
- Deviation from a birth plan

**COMMON SYMPTOMS:**

- Sense of detachment
- Increased arousal or being easily startled
- Insomnia
- Hypervigilance
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Flashbacks and/or nightmares
- Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, such as people, places, mental images and details of the birth

**MORE RISK FACTORS:**

- Any previous trauma(s)
- Previous sexual trauma, abuse and/or rape
- Adverse childhood events
- Prior Infertility
- Loss and/or termination
- Hemorrhage
- Preeclampsia
- Unexpected hysterectomy or surgeries
- Perineal trauma
- Cardiac complications

It is critical OBs and families establish not just the “Plan A” birth plan, but also determine a “Plan B” which open communication and understanding about how adequately support a woman. A simple plan alone has the power to prevent Birth Trauma.

[![DEPRESSION](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/DEPRESSION.png?width=638&name=DEPRESSION.png "DEPRESSION")](https://wildermanfund-4196930.hs-sites.com/depression)

[![ANXIETY](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ANXIETY.png?width=638&name=ANXIETY.png "ANXIETY")](https://wildermanfund-4196930.hs-sites.com/anxiety)

[![OCD](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/OCD.png?width=638&name=OCD.png "OCD")](https://wildermanfund-4196930.hs-sites.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd)

![PTSD](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PTSD-1.png?width=638&name=PTSD-1.png "PTSD")

[![POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/POSTPARTUM%20PSYCHOSIS.png?width=638&name=POSTPARTUM%20PSYCHOSIS.png "POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS")](https://wildermanfund-4196930.hs-sites.com/postpartum-psychosis)

[![BIPOLAR (BPD) AND MOOD DISORDERS](https://www.wildermanfund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BIPOLAR%20(BPD)%20AND%20MOOD%20DISORDERS.png?width=638&name=BIPOLAR%20(BPD)%20AND%20MOOD%20DISORDERS.png "BIPOLAR (BPD) AND MOOD DISORDERS")](https://wildermanfund-4196930.hs-sites.com/postpartum-psychosis-0)

### Learn More About The Wilderman Fund and How We Can Help You or Your Patients

**If you are in Crisis, please Call: 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-273-8255.  You can also text "START" to 741-741.  If this is a true psychiatric or life-threatening emergency, please pick-up the phone: Dial: 911, or go to the nearest Emergency Room, immediately.**

 

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