The relationship of prenatal attachment level to traumatic childbirth perception and posttraumatic stress in pregnancy

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the extent of prenatal attachment and traumatic childbirth perception (TCP) and posttraumatic stress. Methods: A total of 308 pregnant women admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department during a period of 6 months were applied a Personal Information Form, the Prenatal Attachment Inventory, the Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale, and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, Self-Report version. Results: There was a negative correlation between TCP and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic stress decreased with increasing prenatal attachment. Conclusion: Consequently, a negative correlation was found between prenatal attachment and PTSD.