Preventing Childbirth-Related PTSD With Expressive Writing
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: PTSD (Childbirth-Related)
In brief
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a brief psychological intervention given to individuals in the first days following childbirth who have experienced a potentially stressful childbirth. The treatment is aimed at preventing post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth and promoting maternal-infant bonding. In the days following childbirth, participants will be asked to write about their childbirth experience or a neutral event for three consecutive days, for around 15 minutes each day. Additionally, they will complete a short survey before and after the intervention about their birth experience and mental health. Around 2 months postpartum (with the option of up to around Month 3 PP), participants will take part in mental health and physiological assessments, and in a brief play session with their infant.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT05662423
- Run by
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- People needed
- 66
- Starts
- 2023-11-08
- Expected to finish
- 2026-07-29
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-07-30
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Women who recently delivered at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
- Women who are at risk for developing CB-PTSD based on their scoring of >16 on the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI).
You may not qualify if…
- Age <18 or >50.
- Stillbirth.
- Down's Syndrome, other serious genetic disorder in the newborn, or serious birth defect (e.g., microcephaly, spina bifida).
- Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than 1 week or infant that is not medically healthy.
- Current diagnosable DSM-5 psychotic or bipolar disorder, or current substance abuse disorder.
- Active suicidality (assessed case by case).
- Present substance abuse as indicated in medical records.
- Severe maternal morbidity (assessed case by case).
- General anesthesia.
- Inability to understand the study procedures, risks, and side effects, or to otherwise give informed consent for participation due to neurological or other reasons.
- Inability to understand English.
Where it is running
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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