Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39789649›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychology2025

Prevalence and correlates of postpartum PTSD following emergency cesarean sections: implications for perinatal mental health care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Eirini Orovou, Evangelia Antoniou, Ioannis Zervas, Antigoni Sarantaki

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Eirini OrovouDepartment of Midwifery, University of Western Macedonia, Ptolemaida, Greece.
Evangelia AntoniouDepartment of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
Ioannis ZervasNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Eginition University Hospital, Athens, MD, Greece.
Antigoni SarantakiDepartment of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece. esarantaki@uniwa.gr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe increasing awareness of the emotional consequences of emergency cesarean deliveries (C-sections) highlights their substantial role in fostering postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of PTSD following emergency C-sections, as well as the implications of these events on maternal mental health and welfare.

methodsUndertaking extensive searches of Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, we have incorporated studies published from 2013 onwards that examined the occurrence of PTSD following emergency C-sections. Our primary focus was on the prevalence of PTSD at 6 weeks and up to 12 months postpartum. To evaluate the quality of these studies, we employed the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the CEBM Critical Appraisal Tools.

findingsWe included a total of 10 studies with 4,995 participants. The prevalence of PTSD following emergency C-sections ranged from 2.2 to 41.2%, compared to 0-20% in elective cesarean sections. A meta-analysis revealed a significant rise in the number of people with PTSD in the emergency C-section group compared to the elective C-section group six weeks after giving birth (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.13 to 6.64; p = 0.03) and six weeks to 12 months later (OR = 3.68; 95% CI = 2.63 to 5.15; p < 0.00001). The emergency C-section group also had a higher PTSD prevalence compared to vaginal birth six weeks to 12 months after birth (OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.51 to 6.60; p = 0.02). Risk factors included poor social support, maternal and neonatal complications, and prior psychiatric history.

conclusionsEmergency C-sections are significantly associated with an increased risk of postpartum PTSD, necessitating targeted psychological support and interventions. Future research should aim for standardized diagnostic criteria and explore the long-term psychological outcomes of emergency C-sections.

Indexed as

Cesarean SectionEmergency TreatmentPerinatal CareStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticFemaleHumansPostpartum PeriodPregnancyPrevalenceEmergency cesarean sectionMaternal well-being, psychological traumaPostpartum mental healthPost-traumatic stress disorder

Identifiers

PMID39789649
PMCPMC11720582

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.