Antenatal Fear of Childbirth as a Risk Factor for a Bad Childbirth Experience

Giving birth is one of the most impressive experiences in life. However, many pregnant women suffer from fear of childbirth (FOC) and experience labour in very different ways, depending on their personality, previous life experiences, pregnancy, and birth circumstances. The aim of this study was to analyse how fear of childbirth affects the childbirth experience and to assess the related consequences. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 414 women between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. The Birth Anticipation Scale (BAS) was used to measure fear of childbirth and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ-E) was applied to measure satisfaction with the childbirth experience. Fear of childbirth negatively and significantly predicted the childbirth experience. In addition, women who were more fearful of childbirth were found to have worse obstetric outcomes and a higher likelihood of having a caesarean delivery (p = 0.008 C. I 95%). Fear behaved as a risk factor for the birth experience, so the greater the fear, the higher the risk of having a worse birth experience (OR 1.1). Encouraging active listening and support strategies may increase pregnant women's confidence, thus decreasing their fear of the process and improving their childbirth experience

Influence of Pregnancy on Sexual Desire in Pregnant Women and Their Partners: Systematic Review

Objectives: Pregnancy is a stage in which different physical and psychological changes take place that can affect the sexuality of the couple. The aim of the study is to identify how the physical and psychological changes derived from pregnancy affect the sexual desire of women and men. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in five databases, from which a total of 16,126 documents were obtained. After applying the PRISMA selection criteria, a total of 19 documents were selected. Results: Levels of sexual desire fluctuate during pregnancy, being the second trimester of gestation the period in which desire is at its highest and in which physical limitations and emotional changes decrease. Women have lower levels of sexual desire in the first trimester, while men have the lowest levels of desire in the third trimester. Conclusion: Pregnancy is a stage marked by physiological and psychological changes that modify several areas, including sexuality. Healthcare professionals should promote a healthy sexuality, avoiding the appearance of fears or sexual dysfunctions caused by the changes that occur during pregnancy

Influence of Pregnancy on Sexual Desire in Pregnant Women and Their Partners: Systematic Review

Objectives: Pregnancy is a stage in which different physical and psychological changes take place that can affect the sexuality of the couple. The aim of the study is to identify how the physical and psychological changes derived from pregnancy affect the sexual desire of women and men.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in five databases, from which a total of 16,126 documents were obtained. After applying the PRISMA selection criteria, a total of 19 documents were selected.Results: Levels of sexual desire fluctuate during pregnancy, being the second trimester of gestation the period in which desire is at its highest and in which physical limitations and emotional changes decrease. Women have lower levels of sexual desire in the first trimester, while men have the lowest levels of desire in the third trimester.Conclusion: Pregnancy is a stage marked by physiological and psychological changes that modify several areas, including sexuality. Healthcare professionals should promote a healthy sexuality, avoiding the appearance of fears or sexual dysfunctions caused by the changes that occur during pregnancy

Handbook of Active Ageing and Quality of Life: From Concepts to Applications

La edición de este libro estuvo a cargo de Fermina Rojo-Pérez y Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas.El documento adjunto contiene la cubierta, portada e índice del libro.This handbook presents an overview of studies on the relationship of active ageing and quality of life. It addresses the new challenges of ageing from the paradigm of positive ageing (active, healthy and successful) for a better quality of life. It provides theoretical perspectives and empirical studies, including scientific knowledge as well as practical experiences about the good ageing and the quality of later life around the world, in order to respond to the challenges of an aged population. The handbook is structured in 4 sections covering theoretical and conceptual perspectives, social policy issues and research agenda, methods, measurement instrument-scales and evaluations, and lastly application studies including domains and geographical contexts.Peer reviewe

Análisis de un programa de educación maternal en el parto: resultados obstétricos y satisfacción materna.

La Guía de Práctica Clínica sobre Embarazo, Parto y Puerperio del Ministerio de Sanidad recomienda ofrecer a todas las gestantes y sus parejas, la oportunidad de participar en un programa de preparación al nacimiento con el fin de adquirir conocimientos y habilidades relacionadas con el embarazo, el parto, los cuidados del puerperio, del recién nacido y con la lactancia. En el Hospital Quirón Campo de Gibraltar, las matronas llevan a cabo un programa de educación maternal en el cual al finalizar cada grupo, entregan encuestas para conocer el grado de satisfacción materna, para ello se utilizó la encuesta de satisfacción de uso sistemático tipo Likert (1-5). Se evaluó a 252 mujeres de julio de 2013 a diciembre de 2014. Se estudiaron varios aspectos con el fin de valorar el impacto de un Programa de Educación Maternal (PEM) sobre determinados resultados obstétricos, comparando dichos resultados con los estándares de calidad descritos por la OMS. Para la realización de dicho trabajo se analizaron los datos recogidos en el libro de partos. Se obtuvieron resultados en cuanto al porcentaje de episiotomías, partos eutócicos y las diferentes posiciones adoptadas, entre otros muchos. Concluimos que las gestantes que acudieron al PEM pudieron sentirse más preparadas para afrontar el parto e iniciar la lactancia materna, expresando además un grado alto o muy alto de satisfacción con el programa

Prenatal Stress as a Risk Factor for Maternal–Foetal Morbidity: A Longitudinal Study

Pregnancy is one of the most complex periods in a woman’s life, not only because of the biological changes involved but also because of the psychological aspects. Stress during pregnancy refers to the concerns and distress that arise during pregnancy and that can be assessed by means of psychological and physiological scales. The aim of this study was to analyse prenatal stress and to evaluate its consequences on the health of both the mother and the foetus. A descriptive longitudinal study was carried out on a sample of 398 pregnant women being followed up during their entire pregnancy, who gave birth at the Punta de Europa University Hospital in Algeciras (Spain) between September 2021 and August 2023. The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) was used, as well as serum cortisol levels in each trimester of pregnancy and birth experience using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire in its validated Spanish version, CEQ-E. Demographic and obstetric variables were included. One of the main findings was that experiencing more stress in late pregnancy had a negative impact on obstetric outcomes. Women who had higher levels of prenatal distress had higher blood cortisol levels and increased risk of having a caesarean section at delivery. A significant negative correlation was also found between stress and Apgar test values in the first minute of life. It is concluded that interventions promoted by the health system that provide comprehensive prenatal care contribute to decreased stress as perceived by these pregnant women, thus reducing the risk of maternal and foetal morbidity

Age Differences in Motor Recruitment Patterns of the Shoulder in Dynamic and Isometric Contractions. A Cross-Sectional Study

Aging processes in the musculoskeletal system lead to functional impairments that restrict participation. Purpose: To assess differences in the force and motor recruitment patterns of shoulder muscles between age groups to understand functional disorders. A cross-sectional study comparing 30 adults (20–64) and 30 older adults (>65). Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the middle deltoid, upper and lower trapezius, infraspinatus, and serratus anterior muscles was recorded. Maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was determined at 45° glenohumeral abduction. For the sEMG signal registration, concentric and eccentric contraction with and without 1 kg and isometric contraction were requested. Participants abducted the arm from 0° up to an abduction angle of 135° for concentric and eccentric contraction, and from 0° to 45°, and remained there at 80% of the MIVC level while isometrically pushing against a handheld dynamometer. Differences in sEMG amplitudes (root mean square, RMS) of all contractions, but also onset latencies during concentric contraction of each muscle between age groups, were analyzed. Statistical differences in strength (Adults > Older adults; 0.05) existed between groups. No significant differences in RMS values of dynamic contractions were detected, except for the serratus anterior, but there were for isometric contractions of all muscles analyzed (Adults > Older adults; 0.05). The recruitment order varied between age groups, showing a general tendency towards delayed onset times in older adults, except for the upper trapezius muscle. Age differences in muscle recruitment patterns were found, which underscores the importance of developing musculoskeletal data to prevent and guide geriatric shoulder pathologies

Antenatal Fear of Childbirth as a Risk Factor for a Bad Childbirth Experience

Giving birth is one of the most impressive experiences in life. However, many pregnant women suffer from fear of childbirth (FOC) and experience labour in very different ways, depending on their personality, previous life experiences, pregnancy, and birth circumstances. The aim of this study was to analyse how fear of childbirth affects the childbirth experience and to assess the related consequences. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 414 women between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. The Birth Anticipation Scale (BAS) was used to measure fear of childbirth and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ-E) was applied to measure satisfaction with the childbirth experience. Fear of childbirth negatively and significantly predicted the childbirth experience. In addition, women who were more fearful of childbirth were found to have worse obstetric outcomes and a higher likelihood of having a caesarean delivery (p = 0.008 C. I 95%). Fear behaved as a risk factor for the birth experience, so the greater the fear, the higher the risk of having a worse birth experience (OR 1.1). Encouraging active listening and support strategies may increase pregnant women’s confidence, thus decreasing their fear of the process and improving their childbirth experience

Quality of Life and Anxiety Levels in Latin American Immigrants as Caregivers of Older Adults in Spain

Increased life expectancy in Spain has highlighted the need for formal caregivers who care for older adults who live at home. In many cases, families choose to hire immigrants from Latin America who, on many occasions, have been forced to emigrate, which causes a considerable psychological impact on them. To this, other factors such as precarious working conditions, loneliness, or high workload are added, which leads to many caregivers becoming sick. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and the level of anxiety derived from the workload of Latin American immigrants who come to Spain to care for older adults. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using two validated questionnaires to measure this relationship. A correlation was also established between quality of life and anxiety as expressed by the participants. The sample consisted of a total of 426 subjects. One of the main results showed that the lower the caregiver’s quality of life, the higher their level of anxiety (OR = 1.06; 95% CI). Live-in caregivers had a lower quality of life than people who did not live in the same house as the cared-for person (OR = 2.22; 95% CI). Working long hours and having a high workload was associated with poorer quality of life and higher levels of anxiety. Assessing immigrants who are formal caregivers and providing them with the support that helps to improve their quality of life is suggested to reduce the occurrence of anxiety disorders

Body Image Dissatisfaction as a Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression.

Background and Objectives: Pregnancy and postpartum are periods that imply numerous physical and psychological changes that could lead to mental health consequences. The aim of the present study is to identify whether women who had body image dissatisfaction had a higher incidence of postpartum depression 6 months after birth than women who did not have body image dissatisfaction. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 450 women from two hospitals in Andalusia. Quantitative variables were age and scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) for body image dissatisfaction. The qualitative variables used were marital status, self-perceived health status, diet or physical exercise, type of delivery, and others. Results: Body dissatisfaction was positively correlated with the symptomatology of postpartum depression. Thus, for each point increased in body dissatisfaction, the occurrence of depression also increased. There was a relationship between the study variables, so women who were more dissatisfied with their body image were more frequently depressed. Conclusions: In conclusion, it can be established that postpartum depression seems to be related to the presence of poor body image