Primary outcomes
The primary outcome of interest was PTSD in the postnatal period,
defined as the six months following giving birth. The diagnosis of PTSD
should have been based on DSM criteria, using either the Impact of Event
Scale (IES) or another validated scale used by study authors. Data on
symptoms of PTSD which did not meet full criteria for a diagnosis of
PTSD were also included, as not all women participating in the studies
selected had undergone a full diagnostic interview. Qualitative data
were included which described the attitudes and experiences towards
different modes of birth by women who developed postnatal PTSD and those
who supported them.