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Labour experience and postpartum stress and depression: a quantitative and qualitative examination

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between qualitatively and quantitatively assessed birth experiences and rates of post-birth distress and depressive symptoms three to four weeks postpartum. Both the rates of post-birth distress and depressive symptoms represented risk factors for subsequent mental health problems in the later postpartum period. Background: Childbirth is accompanied by various stress factors. However, little is known about the relationship between stressors occurring during birth (intrapartum) and the ways women cope with them and women’s development of depressive symptoms or acute stress reactions postpartum. Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven women from two longitudinal studies were interviewed 48–96 h after childbirth. Thirty birth interviews from both samples were additionally examined for qualitative themes related to women’s reported experience in connection with mental health adaptation (i.e. without symptoms (n = 10), symptoms of depression (n = 10) and acute stress reactions (n = 10)) at three to four weeks postpartum. Results: Women with depressive symptoms reported less intimate and helpful contact with their partners and baby during labour compared with women without symptoms or with acute stress reactions. Women with acute stress reactions had less confidence in themselves, and reported disorientation during the birth process, compared with women without symptoms or with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Recognition of how women cope with intrapartum factors during labour could help to identify psychological distress shortly after delivery, and inform the introduction of timely and appropriate psychological support for affected women.