Relationship between cesarean section and vaginal delivery with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth in Bushehr

Recent research suggests that a proportion of women may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth. This study aimed to test relationship between cesarean section and vaginal delivery with PTSD after childbirth in Bushehr. This study was an analytic cross-sectional one. Participants were recruited from post-partum women who attended health medical centers in Bushehr (n = 400) and for women with traumatic delivery completed posttraumatic symptoms scale-I (PSS-I) and reproductive questionnaire. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Women with PTSD had higher odds ratio for emergency cesarean section (Odds ratio = 3.55, CI=1.69-8.07) and insufficiency income (Odds ratio=4.50, CI=1.71-11.84). Duration of labor lower than 3 hours (Odds ratio=0.15, CI=0.04-0.55) and higher education level (Odds ratio=0.15, CI=0.04-8.58) were associated with significantly decreased risk for PTSD. Interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of PTSD after childbirth needs further research but it seems that consultation about decreased cesarean section during prenatal care is useful.