Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Psychological Birth Trauma

Background Psychological birth trauma (PBT) is common among women in labor and has severe implications for maternal and infant health. Although the prevalence and risk factors of PBT have been widely reported, these findings have not been systematically synthesized, limiting screening and interventions. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence of and risk factors for PBT. Methods The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were systematically searched between their inception and October 1, 2023. Pooled prevalence, odds ratio, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models using Stata 15.0. Result The pooled prevalence rate of PBT was 19%. We performed subgroup analysis based on age, parity, region, and measurement tools. The results showed differences in the prevalence of PBT between these subgroups, suggesting the need for clinical personalization in different populations. The pooled odds ratio showed that fear of childbirth, cesarean section, operative vaginal birth, pain during labor, and dissatisfaction with support from midwives were significantly associated with PBT. Discussion The study found that the pooled prevalence of PBT was 19%. PBT risk factors are diverse, and understanding the prevalence and risk factors for PBT has important implications for healthcare and social care systems.