School of Health Sciences

Stress of co-parents related to a traumatic experience of birth across Switzerland (SOCRATES)

Birth can have a negative impact on the wellbeing of parents in the postpartum period. This critical transition period from birth to one year postpartum remains poorly studied. Mental, physical, and sexual wellbeing are particularly important during this time.

Background

Postpartum depression and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) affects approximately 13 % and 5 % of women, respectively. Regarding physical health, up to 41 % of women still have pain related to childbirth six months afterwards. The prevalence of sexual problems affects between 41 % to 83 % of mothers. Some individual factors have been linked to postpartum health problems, but it is uncertain if the quality of care during childbirth is also associated with the development of postpartum problems.

While no Swiss population-based study exists, collecting accurate and reliable patient-reported data on mental, physical, sexual health, and quality of life, will provide valuable insights on the impact of childbirth care and guide future policy decisions to improve peripartum care.

Objectives

Our overall goal is to assess maternal and co-parent’s health and wellbeing in the postpartum period. To achieve this goal, the objectives of the SOCRATES-study are as follows:

Methods and procedure

We conducted a national prospective cohort study across all cantons of Switzerland. Over approximately one month, we collected data from 109 Swiss maternity units, representing around 3'200 births and reflecting the diversity of quality of care.

At birth, we gathered information on medical data, provision and experience. Here, we used self-reported questionnaires to assess mental, physical and sexual health, as well as quality of life up to one year after birth. We also measured patient-reported outcomes by validated questionnaires at two, six and twelve months postpartum. Additionally, we conducted a survey with maternity units to assess local organisation of care, which may have been associated with the quality of care.

Results

This national cohort study will provide new knowledge about parents’ health and wellbeing up to one year postpartum, which will help to improve perinatal health provision and policies.

We will identify quality-of-care-related factors that impact parental health and wellbeing after childbirth and recommend evidence-based measures to improve quality of care and maternity care organisation.

This study will address the lack of a reliable perinatal health indicator system and national population-based data in Switzerland by providing a representative sample which can be used for further research.

Publications

Project organisation

Project lead

Project team ZHAW

Project team HEdS and HES-SO Genève

Partners

Funding

Project duration

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