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Archives of Women's Mental Health Feb 2017This paper reviews the frequency of suicide and filicide in a literature of over 4000, and personal series of 321, childbearing psychoses. Suicide is rare during the... (Review)
Review
This paper reviews the frequency of suicide and filicide in a literature of over 4000, and personal series of 321, childbearing psychoses. Suicide is rare during the acute episode, but the rate is high later in the mother's life and in first degree relatives. The filicide rate is high in depressive psychoses (4.5 %), but lower in episodes without overt depression (less than 1 %), and some of these appear to be accidental, without intent to kill.
Topics: Adult; Female; Homicide; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infanticide; Mothers; Postpartum Period; Psychotic Disorders; Suicide
PubMed: 27778148
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-016-0675-8 -
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 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Feb 2021To estimate normal ranges for postpartum maternal vital signs.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate normal ranges for postpartum maternal vital signs.
METHODS
We conducted a multicenter prospective longitudinal cohort study in the United Kingdom. We recruited women before 20 weeks of gestation without significant comorbidities and with accurately dated singleton pregnancies. Women recorded their own blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and temperature daily for 2 weeks postpartum. Trained midwives measured participants' vital signs including respiratory rate around postpartum days 1, 7, and 14.
RESULTS
From August 2012 to September 2016, we screened 4,279 pregnant women; 1,054 met eligibility criteria and chose to take part. Postpartum vital sign data were available for 909 women (86.2%). Median, or 50th centile (3rd-97th centile), systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased from the day of birth: 116 mm Hg (88-147) and 74 mm Hg (59-93) to a maximum median of 121 mm Hg (102-143) and 79 mm Hg (63-94) on days 5 and 6 postpartum, respectively, an increase of 5 mm Hg (95% CI 3-7) and 5 mm Hg (95% CI 4-6), respectively. Median (3rd-97th centile) systolic and diastolic blood pressure returned to 116 mm Hg (98-137) and 75 mm Hg (61-91) by day 14 postpartum. The median (3rd-97th centile) heart rate was highest on the day of birth, 84 beats per minute (bpm) (59-110) decreasing to a minimum of 75 bpm (55-101) 14 days postpartum. Oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and temperature did not change in the 2 weeks postbirth. Median (3rd-97th centile) day-of-birth oxygen saturation was 96% (93-98). Median (3rd-97th centile) day-of-birth respiratory rate was 15 breaths per minute (10-22). Median (3rd-97th centile) day-of-birth temperature was 36.7°C (35.6-37.6).
CONCLUSION
We present widely relevant, postpartum, day-specific reference ranges which may facilitate early detection of abnormal blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and temperature during the puerperium. Our findings could inform construction of an evidence-based modified obstetric early warning system to better identify unwell postpartum women.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN, 10838017.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Reference Values; Vital Signs
PubMed: 33417320
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004239 -
Theriogenology Nov 2022A severe negative energy balance and high circulating free fatty acids (FFA) in postpartum cows impair fertility. The lipotoxicity of FFA has been shown to decrease the...
A severe negative energy balance and high circulating free fatty acids (FFA) in postpartum cows impair fertility. The lipotoxicity of FFA has been shown to decrease the quality of bovine oocytes in vitro. Therefore, excess FFA in cells is converted to triacylglycerol (TAG), a non-toxic form, to avoid lipotoxicity. We recently reported that the TAG content in oocytes was higher in postpartum lactating cows subjected to grazing management than in heifers (Theriogenology 176: 174-182, 2021). The present study investigated the compositions of the energy metabolism-related lipids, FFA and TAG, in the plasma and oocytes of cows at different lactation stages under indoor intensive feeding management in order to obtain insights into lipotoxicity in oocytes, particularly those in early postpartum cows. Blood and oocytes were collected from 20 lactating cows categorized into the following lactation groups: 20-30 days in milk (DIM) (n = 5), 40-50 DIM (n = 5), 60-80 DIM (n = 5), and 130-160 DIM (n = 5). Daily energy balance data were obtained for 3 weeks prior to oocyte collection using the ovum pick up (OPU) method. The contents and compositions of FFA and TAG in plasma and oocytes were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. As expected, plasma FFA was high at 20-30 DIM, decreased by 50 DIM, and was maintained at a low level for the remainder of the experimental period. Similar changes were observed in oocyte FFA and TAG with DIM as plasma FFA. Oocyte FFA positively correlated with plasma FFA (P < 0.05), but negatively correlated with the mean energy balance 1 and 21 days before OPU (P < 0.05). Relationships were noted between the composition and content of FFA in plasma and oocytes, with the FFA 16:1/16:0 and 18:1/18:0 ratios positively correlating with the total amount of FFA (P < 0.05). Elevated oocyte FFA in cows in the early postpartum period under intensive feeding management suggested that oocytes were at a high risk of FFA lipotoxicity. Furthermore, the present results implied that the severe negative energy balance in the previous few weeks was closely related to increases in oocyte FFA, which supports the importance of long-term cow feeding management for preserving the quality of oocytes in the early postpartum period. The present results provide insights into the effects of high circulating FFA on the fertility of postpartum cows.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Diet; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Female; Lactation; Milk; Oocytes; Postpartum Period; Triglycerides
PubMed: 36122530
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.09.006 -
Nature Neuroscience Feb 2024Pregnancy is a unique neuroplastic period in adult life. This longitudinal study tracked brain cortical changes during the peripartum period and explored how the type of...
Pregnancy is a unique neuroplastic period in adult life. This longitudinal study tracked brain cortical changes during the peripartum period and explored how the type of childbirth affects these changes. We collected neuroanatomic, obstetric and neuropsychological data from 110 first-time mothers during late pregnancy and early postpartum, as well as from 34 nulliparous women evaluated at similar time points. During late pregnancy, mothers showed lower cortical volume than controls across all functional networks. These cortical differences attenuated in the early postpartum session. Default mode and frontoparietal networks showed below-expected volume increases during peripartum, suggesting that their reductions may persist longer. Results also pointed to different cortical trajectories in mothers who delivered by scheduled C-section. The main findings were replicated in an independent sample of 29 mothers and 24 nulliparous women. These data suggest a dynamic trajectory of cortical decreases during pregnancy that attenuates in the postpartum period, at a different rate depending on the brain network and childbirth type.
Topics: Adult; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Postpartum Period; Mothers
PubMed: 38182834
DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01513-2 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2019Relapse to smoking postpartum is a common and important public health problem. Difficulty in adjusting to a non-smoking identity is a key factor prompting relapse....
Relapse to smoking postpartum is a common and important public health problem. Difficulty in adjusting to a non-smoking identity is a key factor prompting relapse. However, postpartum relapse prevention interventions rarely focus upon offering support for identity change. We conducted an exploratory inductive analysis of a dataset from the Prevention of Return to Smoking Postpartum (PReS) study to understand identity constructs and experiences of pre- and postpartum women (smokers and ex-smokers), partners and health professionals. Data were obtained from 77 unique participants via focus groups, interviews, email or online questionnaires, and were analyzed by two researchers independently, using NVivo 12. Four main themes emerged reflecting identity transition from the pre- to the postpartum period: (i) Pregnancy and the categorization of smoking status; (ii) the disruption of motherhood and loss of self; (iii) adapting to a maternal non-smoking identity; and (iv) factors influencing sustained abstinence versus relapse to smoking. Postpartum relapse prevention interventions need to consider support for women, and the whole family unit, in adjusting to a new identity as a non-smoking mother. Smoking status should be revisited throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum period to aid the long-term integration of smoke-free behavior.
Topics: Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Recurrence; Secondary Prevention; Smoking Cessation; Smoking Prevention; Social Identification; Tobacco Smoking
PubMed: 31466394
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173139 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Mar 2020Women may present with psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, normal labor, following delivery by caesarean section, or in the postpartum period. The accumulating... (Review)
Review
Women may present with psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, normal labor, following delivery by caesarean section, or in the postpartum period. The accumulating evidence suggests that these disorders may be due to changes in immune responses. During pregnancy complications such as the prolongation of cervical ripening or descent, placental abruption, premature labor, and preeclampsia increase the risk of postpartum psychiatric disorders. Women may exhibit depression and postpartum psychosis following either normal birth or caesarean section. Since psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder are associated with both alterations in the immune response and changes in immune cell subpopulations, in this study we have chosen to examine whether the psychiatric disorders in women during labor or postpartum also lead to aberrant immune responses.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Immunity; Mental Disorders; Obstetric Labor Complications; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Puerperal Disorders
PubMed: 32114440
DOI: 10.2741/4863 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Jun 2016Postpartum depression (PPD) occurs in 10-15 % of women. The appetite hormone ghrelin, which fluctuates during pregnancy, is associated with depression in nonpregnant... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Postpartum depression (PPD) occurs in 10-15 % of women. The appetite hormone ghrelin, which fluctuates during pregnancy, is associated with depression in nonpregnant samples. Here, we examine the association between PPD and active ghrelin from pregnancy to postpartum. We additionally examine whether ghrelin changes from pregnancy to postpartum and differs between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. Sixty women who participated in a survey examining PPD and had information in regard to ghrelin concentrations were included in the study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess symptoms of PPD. Raw ghrelin levels and ghrelin levels adjusted for creatinine were included as outcomes. Women screening positive for PPD at 12 weeks postpartum had higher pregnancy ghrelin concentrations. Ghrelin concentrations significantly decreased from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum and this change differed based on pregnancy depression status. Finally, ghrelin levels were lower in women who breastfed compared with women who were bottle-feeding. No significant findings remained once ghrelin levels were adjusted for creatinine. Although results do not suggest an association between PPD and ghrelin after adjusting for creatinine, future research should continue to explore this possibility extending further across the postpartum period with larger sample sizes.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Bottle Feeding; Breast Feeding; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Ghrelin; Humans; Lactation; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Young Adult
PubMed: 26424410
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-015-0578-0 -
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 Neuroendocrinology Jul 2016Changes in expression of hundreds of genes occur during the production and function of the maternal brain that support a wide range of processes. In this review, we... (Review)
Review
Changes in expression of hundreds of genes occur during the production and function of the maternal brain that support a wide range of processes. In this review, we synthesize findings from four microarray studies of different maternal brain regions and identify a core group of 700 maternal genes that show significant expression changes across multiple regions. With those maternal genes, we provide new insights into reward-related pathways (maternal bonding), postpartum depression, social behaviors, mental health disorders, and nervous system plasticity/developmental events. We also integrate the new genes into well-studied maternal signaling pathways, including those for prolactin, oxytocin/vasopressin, endogenous opioids, and steroid receptors (estradiol, progesterone, cortisol). A newer transcriptional regulation model for the maternal brain is provided that incorporates recent work on maternal microRNAs. We also compare the top 700 genes with other maternal gene expression studies. Together, we highlight new genes and new directions for studies on the postpartum brain.
Topics: Animals; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period
PubMed: 27184829
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.05.002