Postnatal PTSD: A Guide for Health Professionals

Postnatal PTSD, often referred to as birth trauma, is an underdiagnosed and misunderstood condition. Often mistaken for postnatal depression and with 4% of women developing the condition after giving birth, it is essential that health professionals learn to recognise and prevent postnatal PTSD.

The book supports professionals to better understand, recognise, treat and help prevent birth trauma. It covers the impact of postnatal PTSD on bonding and relationships, birth trauma in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, how to support women having another baby and more.

An accessible guide to supporting parents with postnatal PTSD, this book is essential reading for healthcare professionals and those involved with the birthing process.

Kim Thomas is the CEO of the Birth Trauma Association. She is a freelance journalist writing on health, education and social care and has written extensively for national newspapers, including the Guardian, the Independent and the Financial Times. Kim has also delivered presentations on birth trauma at conferences and training sessions for midwives and obstetricians. http://kimthomas.co.uk/


Shona McCann is a midwife with 28 years experience and in 2013 the first permanent specialist PMH Midwife in Scotland. Shona has won multiple awards, appeared in publications, television and radio. She developed midwife clinics for women with mental health issues, is the Maternity Lead in the PMH MCN, is the chair of the PMH midwives meeting in Scotland with the MCN , vice chair of the RCM PMH forum and regularly presents at conferences. She has also advised Maternity services across the UK on the development of PMH midwifery provision.