How Postpartum PTSD Affects Mothers

Around the world, women face a substantial risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after giving birth. Unfortunately, this issue is still not given enough attention, especially in countries with low incomes. 

Postpartum PTDS is considered to be an extremely dangerous period. A mother’s quality of life and financial burden are both negatively impacted by PTSD, requiring adequate preparation and understanding. 

This Pacific Prime article will go into detail on what postpartum PTSD is, how it affects mothers, how to identify it, what can be done to prevent it, and the importance of maternity health insurance. 

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as natural disasters, serious accidents, combat, or violent personal assaults. 

Individuals with PTSD may suffer from intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings long after the event. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the trauma. 

PTSD symptoms are typically grouped into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. 

• Intrusive memories include recurrent distressing memories and flashbacks of the event. Avoidance involves steering clear of reminders of the trauma.
• Negative changes in thinking and mood might manifest as hopelessness, memory problems, and feeling detached from loved ones. Changes in reactions can include being easily startled, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and self-destructive behavior.

Note: Symptoms can appear within weeks of the traumatic event or be delayed by months or even years. For a PTSD diagnosis, symptoms must last more than a month and significantly disrupt daily life. 

How Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Affect Mothers? 

For post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to manifest, exposure to a traumatic event is necessary. The postpartum period is a particularly trying time for a woman’s mental health because it is a time of extraordinary personal and social change as well as a number of physiological and psychological demands. 

Additionally, a mother’s mental health during pregnancy is crucial for the well-being of the mother, child, and family unit as a whole. PTSD is one potential mental health risk that women may face during this time. 

Listed below are the ways PTSD can affect mothers:

Emotional and Mental Health:

• Anxiety and Depression: Mothers with postpartum PTSD may experience severe anxiety and depression, impacting their daily functioning and emotional well-being.
• Intrusive Thoughts: They may have flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic birth experience, causing significant distress.

Behavioral Changes:

• Avoidance: They might avoid situations or discussions related to childbirth, which can hinder bonding with the baby and seeking necessary medical care.
• Obsessive Behaviors: Some mothers develop obsessive behaviors as a way to cope with their heightened stress and anxiety.

Physical Health:

• Sleep Disturbances: PTSD can cause sleep problems, such as insomnia or frequent nightmares, affecting overall health and energy levels.
• Hyperarousal: A constant state of being “on alert” can lead to physical symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, and tension.

Impact on Parenting:

• Bonding Issues: PTSD can interfere with the mother’s ability to bond with her newborn, potentially affecting the child’s emotional and social development.
• Parenting Challenges: The condition might make it difficult for mothers to handle the demands of parenting, leading to feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

Long-Term Consequences:

• Future Pregnancies: Fear of experiencing another traumatic birth can discourage mothers from having more children, affecting family planning decisions.
• Relationship Strain: PTSD symptoms can strain relationships with partners and other family members, leading to social isolation and lack of support.

Identifying PTSD in Mothers

Identifying PTSD in mothers after childbirth involves recognizing several key symptoms. These include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or overwhelming worry, as well as emotions of fear and guilt, particularly following a traumatic birth experience. 

Mothers may also exhibit obsessive behaviors, avoid reminders of the trauma, have trouble sleeping, and feel constantly alert. Additionally, they may experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and persistent negative changes in thinking and mood, such as anger, guilt, or shame.

Listed below are signs of postpartum PTSD that can be observed to identify potential signs of PTSD in mothers: 

• Depression and Anxiety: New mothers may feel persistent sadness, hopelessness, or overwhelming worry.
• Fear and Guilt: These emotions can appear, especially if the birth experience was traumatic.
• Obsessive Behaviors: Engaging in repetitive actions or thoughts as a way to manage stress.
• Avoidance: Avoiding situations, places, or discussions that remind them of the traumatic birth experience.
• Trouble Sleeping: Insomnia or nightmares related to the traumatic event.
• Heightened Alertness: Constantly feeling “on alert” or hyper-vigilant.
• Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts: Reliving the traumatic birth experience through vivid memories or flashbacks.
• Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Experiencing a persistent negative emotional state, such as anger, guilt, or shame.

Note: This list should only be used for educational purposes. Please avoid self-diagnosing and consult with a professional on any signs of PTSD for the most effective treatment. 

How to Prevent Post-Partum PSTD in Mothers

Preventing PTSD in new mothers involves preparation and support. Expectant mothers can benefit from discussing potential birth scenarios with their OB/GYN to set realistic expectations and address any fears. It’s helpful to mentally prepare for less-than-ideal birth experiences to better cope. 

Collaborating with trusted healthcare providers, such as family doctors or mental health professionals, to develop a support and resilience plan can also be effective. This also calls for maternity health insurance to manage the financial costs associated with maternity care. 

In summary, early intervention and a better understanding of personal risk factors, such as previous trauma, can aid in reducing the likelihood of developing postpartum PTSD. 

The Importance of Maternity Health Insurance

It can be quite costly to pay out of pocket for prenatal and postnatal services. If you want to make sure your pregnancy goes smoothly and your baby is healthy, getting international maternity health insurance is a good idea. 

Maternity Health Insurance Coverage Types

In most cases, maternity health insurance will pay for a mother’s hospitalizations during her pregnancy as well as her primary and secondary medical care, as well as her newborn’s medical expenses and immunizations. 

A list outlining the essential components of the majority of maternity health insurance policies can be found below. 

Maternity-related Hospitalization:

• Covers pre-hospitalization expenses for up to 30 days before delivery.
• Covers post-hospitalization expenses for the mother and newborn for up to 60 days after delivery.

Prenatal and Postnatal Expenses:

• Covers costs associated with both normal and cesarean deliveries.
• Includes expenses from post-delivery complications.

Hospitalization Costs:

• Covers a wide range of pregnancy-related hospitalization expenses.
• Includes room charges, fees for surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, medical practitioners, and emergency ambulance fees.

Newborn Baby Cover:

• Often extends coverage to infants for up to 90 days from birth.
• Includes expenses for treating newborns with congenital disorders or other post-birth complications.

Vaccination Cover:

• Covers costs of vaccinations administered within one year of birth.
• Includes vaccines such as BCG, measles, typhoid, and OPV, among others.

Exclusions in Maternity Health Insurance Policies

When purchasing maternity health insurance, be aware of the primary exclusions: supplements, diagnostic test charges, infertility treatment costs, stem cell storage and harvesting expenses, and any pregnancy-related costs incurred during the waiting period.

For your convenience, here is a brief list of exclusions:

• Costs for supplements such as tonics and vitamins
• Charges for diagnostic tests and doctor consultations during pregnancy
• Expenses for infertility treatments
• Costs for harvesting and storing stem cells, even if preventative
• Any pregnancy-related costs that arise during the waiting period

Conclusion

Postpartum PTSD is an important issue in public health because of the harm it does to mothers’ well-being, the growth and development of their infants, and the quality of the bond between the two. To begin, and foremost among all things, you must raise awareness. 

Ignoring postpartum PTSD can lead to devastating consequences for communities, families, and women who suffer from it. Many women who have experienced postpartum PTSD go untreated and unacknowledged, which prolongs their suffering.

Childbirth can be very costly, but maternity health insurance offers financial protection for expat families expecting a baby. If navigating maternity health insurance seems daunting, Pacific Prime brokers can assist with tailored coverage, expert advice, policy and claim support, and post-sales services.

Our experts offer unbiased guidance and help you compare plans from top insurers, ensuring you have the information needed for a smooth maternal journey.

Get started by contacting us today.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Piyanat Jantharot

Content Writer/Marketer at Pacific Prime

Piyanat is a Marketer and SEO Content Writer with an affinity for storytelling and marketing. He works with a team of experienced professionals at Pacific Prime who create a range of engaging and informative content aimed at helping both individuals and companies understand the importance of and benefits of insurance.

Upon graduating from Mahidol University International College’s International Relations program, he spent his career in marketing and business development, working for an international subcontractor, a marketing research firm, an international news agency, a software development company, and a creative agency. His journey now continues at Pacific Prime, where he hopes to make an impact by simplifying insurance and writing a gargantuan amount of SEO articles to draw in billions of leads.

In his free time, Piyanat is an avid martial artist and musician, spending most of his time at boxing gyms in Nakhon Pathom and music studios with his friends in the music industry.

Latest posts by Piyanat Jantharot (see all)

• VUMI Insurance in Mexico - November 19, 2024
•  Is There Free Healthcare in Mexico? - November 16, 2024
• Hospitals in Sweden for Visitors and Expatriates: Reliable Care - November 14, 2024