Authors: Luisa Bergunde; Marlene Karl; Sarah Schälicke; Victoria Weise; Judith T. Mack; Tilmann von Soest; Wei Gao; Kerstin Weidner; Susan Garthus-Niegel; Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen · Research

Can Biological Markers Help Predict Posttraumatic Stress After Childbirth?

Study examines biological markers in hair that may help identify women at risk for developing trauma symptoms after childbirth

Source: Bergunde, L., Karl, M., Schälicke, S., Weise, V., Mack, J. T., von Soest, T., Gao, W., Weidner, K., Garthus-Niegel, S., & Steudte-Schmiedgen, S. (2023). Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms – examining associations with hair endocannabinoid concentrations during pregnancy and lifetime trauma. Translational Psychiatry, 13, 335. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02610-3

What you need to know

  • Lower levels of a natural stress-regulating compound called anandamide during pregnancy may indicate increased risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms after childbirth
  • Previous traumatic experiences increase risk of developing trauma symptoms after giving birth
  • How a mother perceives her birth experience plays a key role in whether she develops trauma symptoms

The Mind-Body Connection and Birth Trauma

Picture this: You’re about to experience one of life’s most significant moments - giving birth. While many view childbirth as a joyful event, for some women it can be traumatic, leading to posttraumatic stress symptoms that affect both mother and baby. About 1 in 8 women develop these symptoms after childbirth, but we still don’t fully understand why some women are more vulnerable than others.

The Body’s Natural Stress-Buffer

Our bodies have a fascinating built-in system called the endocannabinoid system that helps regulate stress responses. Think of it like a natural buffer that helps us cope with challenging situations. One key player in this system is a compound called anandamide. This study examined whether levels of anandamide and related compounds in hair during pregnancy might provide clues about who might develop trauma symptoms after birth.

Prior Trauma’s Long Shadow

The research found that women who had experienced more traumatic events in their lives were more likely to develop trauma symptoms after childbirth. This suggests that past difficulties can make us more vulnerable to future trauma - like stacking building blocks of stress. However, this connection wasn’t reflected in hair endocannabinoid levels during pregnancy.

A Biological Warning Sign

Intriguingly, the study found that women with lower levels of anandamide in their hair during pregnancy were more likely to develop trauma symptoms after birth. This suggests that natural variations in our stress-buffering system might influence how we process difficult experiences. However, the researchers note this finding needs further confirmation.

What This Means for You

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, these findings highlight several important points:

  • Having experienced previous trauma doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop trauma symptoms after birth, but it’s worth discussing with your healthcare provider
  • Your perception of the birth experience matters greatly - positive support during labor and delivery is crucial
  • While promising, hair testing for endocannabinoids isn’t currently available clinically - but understanding these biological markers may lead to better screening tools in the future

Conclusions

  • Our bodies’ natural stress-buffering system may play a role in how we process childbirth experiences
  • Both biological factors and past experiences influence risk for birth-related trauma
  • Supporting positive birth experiences and identifying at-risk women early are key prevention strategies
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