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Sleep Medicine Clinics Mar 2015During the perinatal period, compromises in sleep duration and quality are commonly reported by women and confirmed by objective measurements of sleep. Self-reported... (Review)
Review
During the perinatal period, compromises in sleep duration and quality are commonly reported by women and confirmed by objective measurements of sleep. Self-reported poor sleep has been associated with concurrent mood disturbance and with increased risk for future mood problems during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Findings on the relationship between objectively measured sleep and mood in perinatal women have been mixed. This article reviews the literature on the nature of and contributing factors to perinatal sleep disturbance, the relationship between sleep and mood, and intervention studies that aim to improve maternal sleep.
Topics: Affect; Female; Humans; Mood Disorders; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Puerperal Disorders; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 26055670
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2014.11.011 -
Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official... Aug 2020
Topics: Anxiety; Breast Feeding; Decision Making; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Sexual Partners; Social Networking; Social Support
PubMed: 32668171
DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2020.29159.aie -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Oct 2015The aim of this study is to report an analysis of the concept of postpartum sexual health. (Review)
Review
AIM
The aim of this study is to report an analysis of the concept of postpartum sexual health.
BACKGROUND
Postpartum sexual health is a minimally understood concept, most often framed within physical/biological dimensions or as a 'checklist' task in postpartum information provision. This has the potential to leave women unprepared to manage transient or normative sexual health changes after childbirth. For meaningful discussions, clarity and understanding of postpartum sexual health is required.
DESIGN
A principle-based method of concept analysis.
DATA SOURCES
The databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, PsychInfo, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Social Science Index were systematically searched, from their earliest dates, using a combination of key terms, including; 'sexual health', 'sexual function', 'dyspareunia', 'sexuality', 'sexual desire', 'sexual dysfunction', 'postnatal' and 'postpartum', resulting in a final included dataset of 91 studies.
METHODS
Using the principle-based approach, postpartum sexual health was analysed under the four philosophical principles of epistemological, pragmatic, linguistic and logical.
RESULTS
Philosophically, postpartum sexual health is underdeveloped as a concept. A precise theoretical definition remains elusive and, presently, postpartum sexual health cannot be separated theoretically from sexuality and sexual function. Identified antecedents include an instrument free birth, an intact perineum and avoidance of episiotomy. Attributes include sexual arousal, desire, orgasm, sexual satisfaction and resumption of sexual intercourse. Outcomes are sexual satisfaction and a satisfying intimate relationship with one's partner.
CONCLUSION
Postpartum sexual health is conceptually immature with limited applicability in current midwifery practice.
Topics: Body Image; Female; Humans; Orgasm; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Reproductive Health; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 25996569
DOI: 10.1111/jan.12692 -
Journal of Neuroendocrinology Jul 2023Pregnancy is associated with prominent structural changes in brain areas involved in Theory of Mind (ToM), pointing to the possibility of modifications in ToM-related... (Review)
Review
Pregnancy is associated with prominent structural changes in brain areas involved in Theory of Mind (ToM), pointing to the possibility of modifications in ToM-related behavior and brain responses in parents. We performed a systematic review screening for studies that examined ToM in pregnant and/or early postpartum parents. The evaluation of the included 12 studies allowed us to construct an overview of ToM changes during pregnancy and postpartum as well as other associated factors, such as oxytocin, mental health, and parental behavior. Four studies examined ToM changes by comparing pregnant/early postpartum parents with nulliparous parents or prepregnancy measures. They reported no differences between groups measured with a self-report questionnaire but found group differences using an experimental approach. The results from the summarized studies further suggest a mediatory role of oxytocin between ToM and certain parental behavior. In addition, while no link between postpartum depression and ToM was observed, findings do point to an association between depressive and remote maternal behavior and anxious attachment style and ToM abilities in pregnant participants. Research findings regarding the interaction of ToM with both parity and maternal attachment to the fetus are ambivalent. Overall, research on this topic is scarce, limiting our ability to draw firm conclusions and stressing the need for further research on this topic. This review presents an overview of research findings on ToM and associated factors in pregnancy and the postpartum period and discusses directions for future research.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Oxytocin; Theory of Mind; Postpartum Period; Maternal Behavior; Depression, Postpartum
PubMed: 37094082
DOI: 10.1111/jne.13266 -
New Directions For Child and Adolescent... Sep 2016New mothers undergo dynamic neural changes that support positive adaptation to parenting and the development of mother-infant relationships. In this article, I review... (Review)
Review
New mothers undergo dynamic neural changes that support positive adaptation to parenting and the development of mother-infant relationships. In this article, I review important psychological adaptations that mothers experience during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. I then review evidence of structural and functional plasticity in human mothers' brains, and explore how such plasticity supports mothers' psychological adaptation to parenting and sensitive maternal behaviors. Last, I discuss pregnancy and the early postpartum period as a window of vulnerabilities and opportunities when the human maternal brain is influenced by stress and psychopathology, but also receptive to interventions.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Brain; Female; Humans; Maternal Behavior; Neuronal Plasticity; Parenting; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy
PubMed: 27589497
DOI: 10.1002/cad.20168 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022The study investigated and compared postpartum diet and behaviors, nutrition education, and psychological health status among Korean and Chinese postpartum women (0-6...
OBJECTIVE
The study investigated and compared postpartum diet and behaviors, nutrition education, and psychological health status among Korean and Chinese postpartum women (0-6 months after delivery).
METHODS
A total of 221 Korean mothers in Gyeonggi-do (South Korea) and 221 mothers in Jinhua (China) participated in the survey between November and December 2018, and the results were statistically analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 25.0 software.
RESULTS
Many postpartum behaviors, such as postpartum diet pattern and care duration differed between Korean and Chinese mothers. The former showed a stronger desire for nutrition education compared with the latter ( < 0.001). Korean mothers' life and meal satisfaction, and contentment with their husband's support were all ~0.5 points higher compared with Chinese mothers, particularly regarding spousal support ( < 0.001). Postpartum depression stresses positively correlated with postpartum infant care stress and negatively correlated with life satisfaction. In addition, primipara mothers were more in need of infant care support and guidance concerning appropriate baby-feeding techniques compared with multipara mothers.
CONCLUSION
Traditional culture was a crucial factor that influenced the perceptions of postpartum women in South Korea and China. Culturally tailored nutrition education and exercise programs may benefit Korean and Chinese women after childbirth.
Topics: Diet; Female; Humans; Infant; Life Style; Mothers; Postpartum Period; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 35462835
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.803503 -
The Primary Care Companion For CNS... Jan 2023Psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that affects up to 1 in 500 women postpartum and can result from various etiologies. We present a case vignette and review of the...
Psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that affects up to 1 in 500 women postpartum and can result from various etiologies. We present a case vignette and review of the relevant literature to highlight the broad differential diagnosis of postpartum psychosis with atypical features. Recommendations for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with complex neuropsychiatric symptoms in the postpartum period are discussed. This case of postpartum psychosis with malignant catatonia highlights the role of immunology in the development and treatment of postpartum psychosis and the need for future research to more accurately define the etiology and best tailor treatment.
Topics: Humans; Female; Puerperal Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Postpartum Period; Catatonia; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 36638535
DOI: 10.4088/PCC.22nr03269 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and... Sep 2022Women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from depression throughout the life span. In particular, reproductive transition phases mark a period of vulnerability... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from depression throughout the life span. In particular, reproductive transition phases mark a period of vulnerability for female mood disorders. The life events of being pregnant and giving birth harbor multiple psychological and physiological challenges, and a lack of adjustment to these events can result in mood swings and depression. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the symptomatology of postpartum depression (PPD), including tools that have been used to assess PPD, and potential phenomenological differences to major depression during other life phases.
METHODS
A systematic literature search in the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO was conducted with the keywords "postpartum depression" and "symptomatology". A total of 33 studies fulfilled the chosen criteria and were selected for the review.
RESULTS
Within the studies, 22 different tools were used to assess depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. A total of 29 questionnaires or interviews were applied to detect additional psychopathological symptoms present in the perinatal period, such as anxiety. Most studies that included a control group of non-perinatal women concluded that postpartum depression is nosologically distinct from depression occurring at other stages of female life.
DISCUSSION
Somatic symptoms in the puerperium contribute to psychopathological burden and might result in diverse clinical representations of postpartum depression. Anxiety frequently co-occurs with depression during the perinatal period. However, the diversity of screening instruments for postpartum depression does not allow for general conclusions to be drawn about similarities or differences in the psychopathological profiles of postpartum women with depression and women with depression at other stages of life.
Topics: Anxiety; Depression; Depression, Postpartum; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34468259
DOI: 10.1080/0167482X.2021.1962276 -
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Dec 2021This comparative study between postpartum lactating (PP Lactating) and non-postpartum cycling (N-PP Cycling) mares aimed to characterize reproductive patterns, types and...
This comparative study between postpartum lactating (PP Lactating) and non-postpartum cycling (N-PP Cycling) mares aimed to characterize reproductive patterns, types and frequencies of follicular waves, corpus luteum and endometrial echotexture dynamics, and the influence of season and body condition. Mares from each group were paired considering the day of parturition of a PP Lactating mare. The partum-ovulation interval (POI) and the postpartum interovulatory interval (PPIOI) were evaluated for PP Lactating mares, and 2 IOIs were evaluated for N-PP Cycling mares. The following observations were made: (i) PP Lactating mares have several different reproductive patterns, such as continuous reproductive activity (i.e., short or long POIs followed by a PPIOI), ovarian inactivity after the first postpartum ovulation, or continuous ovarian inactivity (postpartum anestrous phase); (ii) a greater total number of minor waves was seen in PP Lactating mares; (iii) major primary follicular waves (i.e., ovulatory) emerge around the day of parturition in mares with short POIs; (iv) the season of parturition (spring season), decrease in body condition score, and body-weight loss can have an associated detrimental effect in PP Lactating mares by increasing the total number of minor follicular waves and, consequently, the POI length; (v) endometrial echotexture scores are higher during the POI and can be influenced by the season of parturition; and (vi) corpus luteum development and demise are similar between PP Lactating and N-PP Cycling mares. This study provides, for the first time, detailed information about reproductive physiological aspects during the postpartum period and may facilitate the interpretation of gynecological practices during the foal heat and subsequent IOI in mares.
Topics: Animals; Female; Horses; Lactation; Ovarian Follicle; Ovulation; Postpartum Period; Reproduction
PubMed: 34802620
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103732 -
Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Dec 2015This chapter reviews the literature on postpartum coital behavior, anovulatory and ovulatory bleeding episodes, and the methodology and efficacy of Lactational... (Review)
Review
This chapter reviews the literature on postpartum coital behavior, anovulatory and ovulatory bleeding episodes, and the methodology and efficacy of Lactational Amenorrhea Method and progesterone-only oral contraceptives. Of interest is the finding that breastfeeding women may resume coital behavior earlier postpartum, but report increased discomfort over time. The high efficacy of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method is confirmed and data illustrating possible relaxation of some criteria are presented. The conflicting guidance of CDC and WHO concerning immediate postpartum use of progestin-only methods is presented. The dearth of recent studies calls for new research on these topics.
Topics: Amenorrhea; Breast Feeding; Coitus; Contraception; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Humans; Lactation; Ovulation; Postpartum Period; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Progestins; Sexuality
PubMed: 26457855
DOI: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000154