Adverse events during childbirth can trigger anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PSD) and postnatal depression, according to an upcoming visiting scholar to Central Queensland University.

Dean of the Faculty of Nursing & Health at Griffith University, Professor Debra Creedy will visit Rockhampton this month to present a lecture on the “Emotional well-being of childbearing women: A review of the evidence”.

The lecture will be held Monday May 12 in Building 5, Room G.02.

Professor Creedy will explain a number childbirth related disorders and review the treatment of postnatal depression.

Drawing on data gathered during two studies of 1020 childbearing women, Professor Creedy will provide case studies to illustrate the experiences of women during childbirth and the contribution of childbirth practices and postpartum care.

“Childbirth events involving life threat and personal injury were found to increase the chances of trauma reactions,” she said.

Professor Creedy will review the current treatment of PND.

“Health professionals need to acknowledge the unique nature of childbirth for each woman and attend to the emotional aspects of care in order to minimise adverse psychological consequences.

Professor Debra Creedy is a registered nurse with a Honours degree in psychology, a Masters of Education by Research and PhD. Her main research interests relate to women’s mental health, in particular postnatal depression, and evidence based practice and clinical innovation.

Professor Creedy has over 100 publications in book chapters, international journal articles and conference proceedings.

She is a Fellow of the Australian & New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses and an executive member of Australian & New Zealand Association for Medical Education.

She is a member of the Australian Council of Deans of Nursing and was a member of the Queensland Nursing Council during which time she was Chair of the Research Committee.