Traumatic childbirth during COVID-19 triggers maternal psychological growth and in turn better mother-infant bonding.

Background: Although posttraumatic psychological growth (PTG) occurs following stressful events, knowledge of maternal psychological growth as a result of giving birth during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is lacking.

Methods: We assessed PTG associated with recent childbirth (Posttraumatic Growth Inventory) in a sample of 2205 women who gave birth during the pandemic and 540 who gave birth before. They also provided information about birth-related traumatic stress (Peritraumatic Distress Inventory; PTSD Checklist), mother-infant bonding (Maternal Attachment Inventory), and breastfeeding.

Results: Close to two thirds (60.45 %) of participants reported childbirth-related PTG with greater appreciation of life endorsed most frequently. No group differences in PTG prevalence were noted between deliveries during or before COVID-19 (χ = 0.35, p = 0.84). A multigroup mediation model revealed that in deliveries during the pandemic, childbirth-related acute stress was linked with elevated PTG (β = 0.07, p < 0.01); in turn, PTG was associated with lower posttraumatic stress symptoms (β = -0.06, p < 0.05) and better mother-infant bonding (β = 0.22, p < 0.001). These indirect paths via PTG were not significant in deliveries before the pandemic.

Limitations: Reliance on a convenient sample, self-reports, and cross-sectional design may introduce bias.

Conclusions: Perceived positive maternal psychological changes as a result of childbirth are endorsed by a significant portion of women during the pandemic and can ensue in response to traumatic childbirth. Maternal growth is further implicated in successful postpartum adjustment and positive mother-infant interactions during an important period. Hence, directing clinical attention to opportunities of maternal psychological growth may have benefits especially for women at risk for the adverse outcomes of exposure to traumatic experiences of childbirth.