About the project

• The PhD is a collaborative project between the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC) and the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) entitled, “Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic childbirth: a mixed-method study,”.
• PTSD in the perinatal period is caused by a traumatic or disappointing experience prior to or during pregnancy, delivery or the 12 months following birth and presents as persistent distress marked by intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and heightened reactivity following a pregnancy, birth or the months following birth.
• The overall aim of the PhD is to improve the identification of mothers at risk of developing perinatal PTSD.
• There will be four possible studies which take place over four years, including a literature review of existing screening practices for perinatal PTSD and how they affect the prevalence of perinatal PTSD, a data analysis study which examines existing data on factors relating to perinatal PTSD and two qualitative studies which will explore the experiences of both clinicians and mothers.
• This project will incorporate a lived experience component to ensure that the perspectives of those directly affected are meaningfully included. At least two lived experience representatives will be recruited to contribute to and advise on the project throughout.

Research Team

• Ms Grace Phillips (PhD Candidate). National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork. National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork.

• Dr Paul Corcoran. National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork. National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork.

• Dr Eve Griffin. National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork.

• Dr Tamara Escañuela Sánchez. National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork.

About me

Grace Phillips is an early‑career researcher and PhD candidate in the College of Medicine and Health at University College Cork (UCC). Her PhD research focuses on postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic childbirth. Her academic background is in public health and epidemiology, and she holds an honours undergraduate degree in Public Health and a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology pathway), both from UCC. Previously, Grace worked on various research projects within the School of Public Health and the School of Nursing and Midwifery at UCC and as a Research Officer at the NSRF. Grace has contributed to commissioned reports, peer‑reviewed publications and has presented her research at national and international conferences, engaging with multidisciplinary audiences across public health, mental health, and suicide prevention research. Grace’s research interests include perinatal mental health, the social and structural determinants of mental health, and suicide prevention in high‑risk groups..

Social media handles

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3202-9790

Funder

Grace has received the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2025 funding for this project.

Contact information

Grace Phillips (grace.phillips@ucc.ie)