The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder is 3-4% in normal pregnancies and is upwards of 18-20% in high-risk pregnancies. Maternal PTSD has myriad ill effects on pregnancy and postpartum outcomes. Research has shown presence of PTSD symptoms during pregnancy increases risk of substance abuse, depression, and anxiety disorders. Additionally, maternal PTSD may increase preterm birth rates, low birth weight and is associated with lower rates of breast feeding. Many risk factors, such as child abuse history, lifetime prevalence of PTSD, stressful events in current pregnancy and low socio-economic status, contribute to recurrence of PTSD symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionately affects women in comparison to men and risk of PTSD is two-fold in survivors of IPV. A recent study showed one in eleven migrant women experienced PTSD. Other trauma and stressors, like natural disasters, geopolitical war conflicts and migration, socio-economic-cultural factors, and oppression, pose many challenges for expectant mothers and their offspring. While psychological trauma has myriad of negative impact, growth and recovery in trauma survivors are important indicators of recovery. Post-traumatic growth can vary across different settings, and are often influenced by social, cultural, and environmental support structures in additional individual factors and coping mechanisms.

The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together emerging knowledge and discussion on psychological trauma and stressor-related disorders on maternal health across different cultures. Specifically, this article collection will focus on maternal psychological trauma and stressors as well as publications on post-traumatic growth, resilience and coping in different cultural settings in the face of adversities.
We are seeking publications ranging from case reports, review articles and original research (both qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) conducted in different cultures and population on trauma and stressor experiences, and wellness and potential moderating factors, including resilience. We are especially interested in understanding (1) trauma and complex PTSD as related to maternal health, (2) unique challenges of women in underserved areas, and different cultural settings.

Topics of particular interest include:

• Trajectories of lifetime trauma/stressor conditions
• Childhood adversities
• Migrant women
• Women in geo-political war conflicts
• Intimate partner violence
• Comorbid conditions like substance abuse
• Childbirth related medical and psychological trauma.
• Traumatization due to historical oppression, social and economic challenges
• Lived experiences, post-traumatic growth, recovery and resilience.

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Frontiers in Global Women's Health

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