Janet Fraser

If you are very distressed after the birth of a baby, you might be experiencing PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This pamphlet can help you decide whether or not this may be the case although you really need to discuss your feelings with a counsellor or trusted medical practitioner.

Note: The following information is not intended to serve as a basis for a comprehensive diagnosis of PTSD replacing the need for consultation with an appropriately qualified health professional or other caregiver.
While we have made every effort to be as accurate as possible, the diagnosis of PTSD is the responsibility of an appropriately qualified practitioner. Accordingly, we recommend in the strongest possible terms that people seeking advice on whether they are affected by PTSD should consult an appropriately qualified practitioner.
These symptoms should alert you to possible PTSD:
Experienced an event perceived by the person experiencing it as traumatic
Flashbacks of the event, vivid & sudden memories
Nightmares of the event
Inability to recall an important aspect of the event - psychogenic amnesia
Exaggerated startle response, constantly living on edge
Hyper-arousal, always on guard
Hyper-vigilant, constantly looking around for trouble or stressors
Avoidance of all reminders of the traumatic event
Intense psychological stress at exposure to events that resemble the traumatic event
Physiological reactivity on exposure to events resembling the traumatic event- panic attacks, sweating, palpitations
Fantasies of retaliation
Cynicism and distrust of authority figures and public institutions
Hypersensitivity to injustice

How is PTSD different from PND/PPD?
PTSD may start soon after birth or months or even years later. If left untreated, PTSD does not go away.
PND may start soon after birth or usually within the first 6 months. If left untreated, some women might get better within about 2 years, though for others it might be a life-time experience.
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
In order to diagnose PTSD, the sufferer must fit the following criteria (DSM-IV):
1. The person has experienced, witnessed or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others AND the person's response involved fear, helplessness or horror.
2. The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in at least one of the following ways:
Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event.
Recurrent distressing dreams of the event.
Acting or feeling as though the event were recurring (including flashbacks when waking or intoxicated).
Intense psychological stress at exposure to events that symbolise or resemble an aspect of the event.
3. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma or numbing of general responsiveness (not present before the event) as indicated by at least three of the following:
Effort to avoid thoughts or feelings associated with the event.
Efforts to avoid activities or situations which arouse recollections of the event.
Inability to recall an important aspect of the event (psychogenic amnesia.)
Markedly diminished interest in significant activities, such as hobby or leisure time activity.
Feeling of detachment or estrangement from others.
Restricted range of affect; eg, inability to experience emotions such as feelings of love.
Sense of a foreshortened future such as not expecting to have a career, more children or a long life.
4. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal (not present before the event) as indicated by at least two of the following:
Difficulty in falling or staying asleep.
Irritability or outbursts of anger.
Difficulty concentrating.
Hypervigilance.
Exaggerated startle response.
Physiological reactivity on exposure to events that resemble an aspect of the event, eg breaking into a sweat or palpitations.
5. B, C, and D must be present for at least one month after the traumatic event.
6. The traumatic event caused clinically significant distress or dysfunction in the individual's social, occupational, and family functioning or in other important areas of functioning.

Cover-up Symptoms
The longer the person has suffered from untreated PTSD, and the more severe the trauma, the more likely the PTSD will be hidden by one or more of these or other cover-up symptoms.
COVER-UP SYMPTOMS
Alcohol and drug abuse
Eating disorders: bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, compulsive eating
Compulsive gambling or compulsive spending
Psychosomatic problems
Homicidal, suicidal or self-mutilating behaviour
Phobias
Panic disorders
Depression or depressive symptoms
Dissociation symptoms
Fainting spells

DISCLAIMER: The materials provided on this pamphlet are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of PTSD or as a substitute for consulting a caregiver competent to diagnose and recommend treatment for PTSD.

Thanks to Trauma and Birth Stress, NZ for the PTSD information in this pamphlet. http://www.tabs.org.nz

Support and Advocacy and Recovery on the internet – Joyous Birth supports women healing from birth trauma in a private forum. Join the forums for more information.

http://www.birthrites.org/
Healing from Caesarean Inc.
Loads of useful links. Includes info on recovering from traumatic birth. Very empowering. Encouraging of a consumer-type attitude to your health care.

http://www.victoriousbirth.com/index.html
Caesarean and Traumatic Birth Support A site for women who want to truly heal spiritually and emotionally after a difficult birth experience

http://www.eheart.com/cesarean/index.html
A site by, for and about those born by c-sec.

http://www.tabs.org.nz/
New Zealand site on traumatic birth and recovery – PTSD and PND.

http://www.sheilakitzinger.com/Birth%20Crisis.htm
Kitzinger on birth trauma.

http://www.yoni.com/healerf/templedoor.shtml
Healing the Temple Door – a guided meditation on healing from rape which can also be excellently employed in recovering from birth trauma.

© Janet Fraser 2004