Somatic symptoms in the postpartum period and their association with childbirth-related post traumatic stress disorder and depression: A cross-sectional study

Background: Somatic symptoms especially in the early postpartum period may be common, but their frequency and severity may indicate underlying childbirth-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depression. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to assess somatic symptoms in women during the early postpartum period and their association to childbirth-related PTSD and depression. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in South India. The Scale for Assessment of Somatic Symptoms (SASS), Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), PTSD Checklist (PCL), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to assess somatic symptoms, negative childbirth experience, PTSD symptoms, and depression, respectively. Results: Among 95 primigravida women who were in their 2–6 weeks postpartum, the occurrence of somatic symptoms varied from 4% to 79% depending on the nature of symptoms. Pain symptoms, fatigue and weakness, and alteration in biological functions such as libido, sleep, and appetite were more commonly noted. The total severity score on SASS correlated negatively with the CEQ (r = −0.544, p = .001) and positively with scores on the PCL (r = 0.494, p = .001) and EPDS (r = 0.565, p = .001), indicating that somatic symptoms were associated with negative childbirth experience, childbirth-related PTSD, and depression. The frequencies of somatic symptoms were noted to be higher in women with childbirth-related PTSD and depression. Conclusion: Women presenting with multiple and severe somatic complaints in the early postnatal period may have underlying PTSD or depression following a negative childbirth experience. A detailed and sensitive enquiry along with appropriate care should be provided to such women to enhance maternal well-being.