# Research on postpartum and parental PTSD > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/research-on-postpartum-and-parental-ptsd > Updated: 2026-08-20T17:32:56.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. Recent medical studies in the Netherlands and France have highlighted the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. A Dutch study involving neonatal intensive care units found significant psychological distress among parents of extremely premature infants. Research indicated that more than one-third of mothers and approximately one in six fathers experienced symptoms consistent with PTSD by the infant’s original due date. Researchers suggested that psychological support should become a standard part of care to address the emotional scars caused by medical uncertainty and intense interventions. In France, a separate study involving over 2,000 mothers examined the long-term mental health consequences of vaginal births. While the majority of women showed no significant symptoms, the research found that approximately 5% developed persistent or delayed PTSD symptoms. This included 3.5% who suffered from persistent symptoms in the early postpartum period and 2.1% who experienced traumatic manifestations that appeared later in the recovery process. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: French study links vaginal birth to long-term PTSD in 5% of mothers A French study of over 2,000 women reveals that approximately 5% of mothers develop persistent or delayed post-traumatic stress disorder following vaginal childbirth. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-study-links-vaginal-birth-to-long-term-ptsd-in-5-of-mothers ### 2026-08-18: Dutch study links premature birth to high PTSD rates in parents A Dutch study shows that over one-third of mothers and one in six fathers of extremely premature babies experience symptoms of PTSD due to the trauma of neonatal intensive care. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dutch-study-links-premature-birth-to-high-ptsd-risk-in-parents --- Cite as: Research on postpartum and parental PTSD. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/research-on-postpartum-and-parental-ptsd