When Birth Turns from a Happy Event into Trauma: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Women's Perceptions of Living a Traumatic Childbirth Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Experiencing birth trauma can result in various mental health issues, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, postpartum depression, anxiety, and challenges with bonding. Typical signs of traumatic childbirth include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders, physical distress when triggered, loss of sexual intimacy, neglect of gynecological care, mood swings, anger, and social withdrawal. This study is novel and significant providing in-depth insights that are often absent from existing literature. Objectives: To investigate the traumatic birth experiences of Saudi mothers, as well as their perceptions of and reactions to traumatic childbirth. Methods: An interpretative phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in one government hospital in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. This study employed a purposive sampling method to recruit participants. The data collection involved conducting semistructured interviews with 15 participants whose first childbirth occurred within the previous 18 months and who perceived their birth experience or their baby's arrival as traumatic. Results: An interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the data. From the analysis, one core category was identified when birth turns from a happy event into trauma, along with three themes: (a) birth trauma, (b) experiences of obstetric mistreatment, and (c) unable to experience positive emotions. Conclusion: This study explored mothers’ traumatic birth experiences and their emotional reactions, highlighting the need for better support and communication. The findings suggest that women should have the chance to share their childbirth experiences and should be assessed postpartum for signs of psychological distress. Implementing continuous, compassionate, and woman-centered care, involving partners, and understanding birth experiences can improve postnatal well-being. The findings suggest that midwives should focus on psychological health, with antenatal screening for birth-related fears, to identify at-risk women and tailor care to prevent trauma. Healthcare providers should prioritize continuous, woman-centered care as a vital part of organizational improvements to better address women's needs.