Debriefing does not reduce depression after childbirth

Debriefing is widely used to reduce psychological disturbance after trauma, although little evidence exists of its effectiveness. It has been increasingly used over the past decade to help women deal with traumatic childbirth. Small et al (p 1043) report the results of a large randomised trial of midwife led debriefing for women who had an operative delivery. Women randomised to debriefing were no less likely to be depressed six months after the birth and did not have better health overall. If anything, they fared worse than women given standard care. The authors conclude that there is no evidence for providing debriefing to women after an operative delivery.

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Randomised controlled trial of midwife led debriefing to reduce maternal depression after operative childbirth

Rhonda Small, Judith Lumley, Lisa Donohue, Anne Potter, and Ulla Waldenström
BMJ 2000 321: 1043-1047. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]