Hair cortisol levels, psychological stress and psychopathological symptoms as predictors of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression affects a huge number of women and has detrimental consequences. Knowing the factors associated with postpartum depression during pregnancy can help its prevention. Although there is evidence surrounding behavioral or psychological predictors of postpartum depression, there is a lack of evidence of biological forecasters. The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychological variables along with hair cortisol levels during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy that could predict postpartum depression symptoms. A sample of 44 pregnant women was assessed during 3 trimesters of pregnancy and the postpartum period using psychological questionnaires and hair cortisol levels. Participants were divided into 2 groups: a group with postpartum depression symptoms and a group with no postpartum depression symptoms. Results showed significant positive differences between groups in the first trimester regarding the Somatization subscale of the SCL-90-R (p < .05). In the second trimester, significant differences were found in the Somatization, Depression, Anxiety, and GSI subscales (p < .05). In the third trimester significant differences between both groups were found regarding pregnancy-specific stress. We found significant positive differences between groups regarding hair cortisol levels in the first and the third trimester. Hair cortisol levels could predict 21.7% of the variance of postpartum depression symptoms. In conclusion, our study provided evidence that psychopathological symptoms, pregnancy-specific stress, and hair cortisol levels can predict postpartum depression symptoms at different time-points during pregnancy. These findings can be applied in future studies and improve maternal care in clinical settings

Breastfeeding experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain:a qualitative study.

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has affected reproductive and perinatal health both through the infection itself and, indirectly, as a consequence of changes in medical care, social policy or social and economic circumstances. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of the pandemic and of the measures adopted on breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted by means in-depth semi-structured interviews, until reaching data saturation. The study was conducted between the months of January to May 2021. Participants were recruited by midwives from the Primary Care Centres of the Andalusian provinces provinces of Seville, Cádiz, Huelva, Granada, and Jaén. The interviews were conducted via phone call and were subsequently transcribed and analysed by means of reflexive inductive thematic analysis, using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. A total of 30 interviews were conducted. Five main themes and ten subthemes were developed, namely: Information received (access to the information, figure who provided the information), unequal support from the professionals during the pandemic (support to postpartum hospitalization, support received from Primary Health Care during the postpartum period), social and family support about breastfeeding (support groups, family support), impact of confinement and of social restriction measures (positive influence on breastfeeding, influence on bonding with the newborn), emotional effect of the pandemic (insecurity and fear related to contagion by coronavirus, feelings of loneliness). The use of online breastfeeding support groups through applications such as WhatsApp®, Facebook® or Instagram® has provided important breastfeeding information and support sources. The main figure identified that has provided formal breastfeeding support during this period was that of the midwife. In addition, the social restrictions inherent to the pandemic have exerted a positive effect for women in bonding and breastfeeding, as a consequence of the increase in the time spent at their homes and in the family nucleus co-living

Maternal hair cortisol levels and sex of the fetus.

<p>Maternal hair cortisol levels and sex of the fetus.</p

Summary of risk factors during pregnancy associated with postpartum depression [6–13].

<p>Summary of risk factors during pregnancy associated with postpartum depression [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0182817#pone.0182817.ref006" target="_blank">6</a>–<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0182817#pone.0182817.ref013" target="_blank">13</a>].</p

Hair cortisol levels differences (pg/mg) in each trimester between women with and without postpartum depression symptoms.

<p><i>Note</i>. *Significant at the <i>p ≤</i> .05 level.</p

SCL-90-R scores throughout pregnancy in both groups.

<p><i>Note</i>. SOMS = Somatization; OBS = Obsessive-compulsive; SEN = Interpersonal sensitivity; DEP = Depression; ANX = Anxiety; HOS = Hostility; PHOB = Phobic anxiety; PAR = Paranoid ideation; PSI = Psychoticism; GSI = Global severity index; PST = Positive symptoms total; PSDI = Positive symptoms distress index; PPD = Postpartum depression; NO PPD = No postpartum depression.</p

Mean differences on stress and psychopathological symptoms with interaction effects between groups^*trimesters.

<p>Mean differences on stress and psychopathological symptoms with interaction effects between groups^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0182817#t002fn002" target="_blank">*</a>}trimesters.</p