Perinatal PTSD (PPTSD) is a disorder that affects approximately 9% of the U.S. population and an additional 18% of mothers could be at risk for developing it. PPTSD has been defined as the development of PTSD in the context of childbirth causing a traumatic association with the event. Researchers have found that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) was shown to be a prevalent risk factor. My research aims to examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (i.e., childhood sexual abuse) and risk for developing perinatal PTSD in a sample of low-income, expectant parents. Furthermore, I am interested in examining whether there are certain protective factors (e.g., having a supportive medical staff) that may serve to moderate this relationship and reduce the negative impact of these adverse childhood experiences on PPTSD symptoms. With my project, I hope to highlight the importance of understanding how early adverse experiences can predict later perinatal experiences, and how we have the ability to improve at-risk-mothers' experiences by promoting certain protective factors such as having trained hospital staff who are more sensitive to mother’s issues. Furthermore, I would like to be able to use this research to better detect this condition in mothers to improve health outcomes on both an individual and familial level.