Appraisals of memories following post-partum haemorrhage version 3
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The relationship between appraisals of involuntary memories experienced following post-partum haemorrhage and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms.(APPLE study)
IRAS ID
164507
Contact name
Pauline Slade
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological response to a traumatic event. Previous work has indicated that around 3% of women experiencing normal births develop symptoms at disorder level at six weeks following childbirth. These symptoms are thought to negatively affect the mother's relationship with her baby and partner as well as impacting her general well-being. Some blood loss is normal in childbirth. However, a proportion of women will experience greater blood loss than usual and this is given the term post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Where this happens this increases the risk of a woman developing post traumatic stress symptoms. To work out how to best prevent this effect we need to know to establish which factors contribute to the development of post traumatic stress following PPH.
Involuntary memories are a symptom of post traumatic stress disorder. Previous research has found a relationship between experiencing these memories, how we think about these memories and post traumatic stress symptoms. However, work has not focused on this relationship following a post-partum haemorrhage. It is intended that this work will contribute to our understanding in this area and assist in guiding appropriate treatment.
Participants will be recruited from two hospitals. Those filling the eligibility criteria will be provided with further information of the study and asked for consent. Participants will then fill in a brief questionnaire early postnatally about their childbirth experience, and a further questionnaire 6 weeks after birth. This will include information about their experience of involuntary memories and the sense they have made of these and any experiences of post-traumatic stress symptoms. This will help us to advise health care provision for women who have experienced post-partum haemorrhage.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1390
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion