Actively Recruiting
Preventing Childbirth-Related PTSD With Expressive Writing
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2026-01-21
136
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
133 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a brief psychological intervention given to individuals in the first days following childbirth who have experienced a potentially stressful childbirth. The treatment is aimed at preventing post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth and promoting maternal-infant bonding. In the days following childbirth, participants will be asked to write about their childbirth experience or a neutral event for three consecutive days, for around 15 minutes each day. Additionally, they will complete a short survey before and after the intervention about their birth experience and mental health. Around 2 months postpartum (with the option of up to around Month 3 PP), participants will take part in mental health and physiological assessments, and in a brief play session with their infant.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Preventing Childbirth-Related PTSD With Expressive Writing
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women who recently delivered at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
- Women at risk for developing CB-PTSD based on scoring >16 on the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI).
You will not qualify if you...
- Younger than 18 years or older than 50 years.
- Experienced stillbirth.
- Newborn with Down's Syndrome, serious genetic disorder, or serious birth defect (e.g., microcephaly, spina bifida).
- Newborn admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than 1 week or medically unhealthy infant.
- Current DSM-5 diagnosable psychotic or bipolar disorder, or current substance abuse disorder.
- Active suicidality (assessed case by case).
- Present substance abuse as indicated in medical records.
- Severe maternal morbidity (assessed case by case).
- Received general anesthesia.
- Unable to understand study procedures, risks, or provide informed consent due to neurological or other reasons.
- Unable to understand English.
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02129
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sharon Dekel, Ph.D. M.Phil., M.S.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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