Preventing Childbirth-Related PTSD With Expressive Writing

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a brief psychological intervention given to individuals in the first days following childbirth who have experienced a potentially stressful childbirth. The treatment is aimed at preventing post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth and promoting maternal-infant bonding. In the days following childbirth, participants will be asked to write about their childbirth experience or a neutral event for three consecutive days, for around 15 minutes each day. Additionally, they will complete a short survey before and after the intervention about their birth experience and mental health. Around 2 months postpartum (with the option of up to around Month 3 PP), participants will take part in mental health and physiological assessments, and in a brief play session with their infant.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Women who recently delivered at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
* Women who are at risk for developing CB-PTSD based on their scoring of \>16 on the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \<18 or \>50.
* Stillbirth.
* Down's Syndrome, other serious genetic disorder in the newborn, or serious birth defect (e.g., microcephaly, spina bifida).
* Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than 1 week or infant that is not medically healthy.
* Current diagnosable DSM-5 psychotic or bipolar disorder, or current substance abuse disorder.
* Active suicidality (assessed case by case).
* Present substance abuse as indicated in medical records.
* Severe maternal morbidity (assessed case by case).
* General anesthesia.
* Inability to understand the study procedures, risks, and side effects, or to otherwise give informed consent for participation due to neurological or other reasons.
* Inability to understand English.

Conditions2

Locations1 site

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