Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Community Sample of Low-Income Pregnant Women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a community sample of low-income pregnant women who met the DSM–IV diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Method: Pregnant women (N=948) were screened for trauma, PTSD, depression, and co-occurring illicit substance use. PTSD symptoms were compared in traumatized pregnant women and a sample of nonpregnant traumatized women from the National Comorbidity Survey. Results: Suicidal thoughts and a high degree of psychiatric comorbidity were common in pregnant women with PTSD. Pregnant women were selectively and significantly less likely to endorse reexperiencing symptoms of PTSD (29.5%, N=82), compared to nonpregnant women (79.4%, N=464). Conclusions: PTSD in pregnancy was associated with comorbidity, poor health behaviors, and lower recall of memory-related PTSD symptoms. Further prospective study is needed.