Resilience after childbirth trauma

Traumatic childbirth experiences can have adverse impacts on a woman’s well-being and mental health, mother-infant bonding and future fertility and birthing decisions. However, the factors that support positive psychological adaptation and resilience after traumatic childbirth are under-researched. The dataset consists of data from from a cross-sectional mixed-methods study that examined potential predictors of resilience following childbirth-related trauma. One hundred and fifty-four participants aged 19 to 44 years (M = 32.17, SD = 5.32) who had experienced traumatic childbirth completed an online survey. A multiple regression analysis found that perceived social support, professional support during childbirth, and formal help-seeking explained significant variance in state resilience. Perceived social support was associated with higher levels of resilience, formal help-seeking predicted less resilience, and professional support was not a significant predictor.<br><br>

Open-text boxes allowed for exploratory qualitative research questions to examine social support, barriers, and facilitators of access to formal help for distress symptoms. Three main barriers to accessing formal help emerged from thematic analysis: service accessibility, inadequate/dismissive professional
responses, and individual factors. Finally, social support was found to be a help for some but a hindrance to others. Further research examining factors that contribute to stronger resilience may better inform future interventions to reduce postnatal distress after childbirth trauma, lessening the burden on women, their babies, and their families.