Women’s Decisions about Mental Health Treatment in the Perinatal Period

This study examined a mother’s decision-making process in regards to mental health treatment for emotional difficulties during pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period. The literature shows that different factors influence a woman’s ability and willingness to seek services, including demographic factors, cultural factors, and interactions with healthcare providers and acquaintances. A sample of women who experienced emotional difficulties in the perinatal period was recruited through social media. Participants answered an anonymous electronic survey; the quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS, and the qualitative data was aggregated by themes. Quantitative findings indicate that age might be an influencing factor for women deciding to speak to a healthcare provider, but the same was not true for socioeconomic status or having already discussed the matter with an acquaintance. Qualitative answers replicate previous findings that embarrassment and confusion about what is “normal” emotional behavior in the perinatal period are deterrents to seeking treatment

Profile of depressive symptoms in women in the perinatal and outside the perinatal period: similar or not?

Purposes To analyze which Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Postpartum Depression Screening Scores (PDSS) total and dimensional scores, as well as symptomatic answers proportions significantly differ between women in the perinatal period (pregnant/postpartum) without major depression, with major depression and women outside the perinatal period. Methods 572 pregnant women in the third trimester completed Beck Depression Inventory-II and Postpartum Depression Screening Scale and were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. 417 of these were also assessed (with the same instruments) at three months postpartum. Ninety non-pregnant women or that did not have a child in the last year (mean age=29.42±7.159 years) also filled in the questionnaires. Results Non-depressed pregnant women showed lower scores than depressed pregnant women and higher scores than women outside the perinatal period in the BDI-II total score and in its Somatic-Anxiety dimension. Non-depressed postpartum women showed significantly higher scores than women outside the perinatal period only at Sleep/Eating Disturbances. Compared to women outside the perinatal period, pregnant women without depression presented higher scores only in the somatic items. Women with vs. without depression in the postpartum period did not significantly differ and both presented higher scores than women outside the perinatal period in the proportions of loss of energy and sleep changes. Limitations Women outside the perinatal period were not diagnosed for the presence of a depressive disorder, but their BDI-II mean score was similar to the figures reported worldwide regarding women in childbearing age. Conclusion In the perinatal period, most particularly at pregnancy, women experience significant somatic changes even if not clinically depressed. Cognitive-affective symptoms are more useful when assessing the presence of perinatal depression

Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a fairly common mental health problem that can affect men and women at any time of life (Young 2019). It is called perinatal OCD when a woman develops OCD during pregnancy or after birth—the perinatal period. Perinatal OCD affects at least 2 in every 100 women (Marchesi et al. 2016)

Fathers report experiencing negative feelings and psychological difficulties during the perinatal period

The perinatal period is the time from the start of pregnancy to 1 year after the child has been born.1 During the perinatal period, an estimated 5%–10% of fathers will develop above-threshold symptoms of paternal depression.2 During this period, fathers can experience a high level of stress which can have negative effects on themselves and their families.3 This review aims to explore the needs and experiences associated with the mental health of fathers during this perinatal period.

Birth Shock! Arts In the Perinatal Period

Birth Shock! is an AHRC-funded (AH/K003364/1) engagement-focused project exploring and enhancing the impact and reach of The Birth Project (AH/V000926/1) which was a study particularly concerned with the role the arts can play in the perinatal period, especially in supporting the wellbeing of new mothers, but also working with birthing professionals. In this phase of the work, we wished to evaluate the role of a suite of films exploring this subject with trainee and health-professional audiences

Socio-cultural factors surrounding mental distress during the perinatal period in Zambia: a qualitative investigation.

BACKGROUND: The presence of mental distress during pregnancy and after childbirth imposes detrimental developmental and health consequences for families in all nations. In Zambia, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed a more comprehensive approach towards mental health care, recognizing the importance of the mental health of women during the perinatal period. AIM: The study explores factors contributing to mental distress during the perinatal period of motherhood in Zambia. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia with nineteen focus groups comprising 149 women and men from primary health facilities and schools respectively. FINDINGS: There are high levels of mental distress in four domains: worry about HIV status and testing; uncertainty about survival from childbirth; lack of social support; and vulnerability/oppression. CONCLUSION: Identifying mental distress and prompt referral for interventions is critical to improving the mental health of the mother and prevent the effects of mental distress on the baby. RECOMMENDATION: Strategies should be put in place to ensure pregnant women are screened for possible perinatal mental health problems during their visit to antenatal clinic and referral made to qualified mental health professionals. In addition further research is recommended in order to facilitate evidence based mental health policy formulation and implementation in Zambia

Psychological wellbeing in the perinatal period

Chapter one systematically reviews the literature on the psychological impact of breastfeeding on mothers. Whilst breastfeeding is indicated as the superior feeding choice for infants, the full impact on mothers is under-reported. Results show that breastfeeding and weaning have a varied psychological impact on maternal wellbeing, identity and perceptions of role. Where incompatibilities between mothers‟ expectations and lived experiences occur, or where disagreement between self and others is perceived, dissonance, distress and division result. Discussion is made of the implications of these findings for clinical service provision, training and research. Chapter two presents a grounded theory analysis of fathers‟ experiences of attending traumatic childbirth. Despite an increasing trend over recent decades for fathers to attend their children‟s births, relatively little is still known about the potential impact of having been present during a traumatic labour or delivery upon them. In response to this gap in the literature, the current study reports theoretical concepts generated from interviews with fathers. A model of the experiences recounted is also presented, showing that, within the context of their past experiences, antenatal preparation and confidence in the care provided, fathers cycled between seeking control, passive observing, and helplessness. Findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature and the implications of this novel contribution to the subject area for future research and service provision are highlighted. Chapter three discusses the candidate‟s personal observations and reflections on the research process. The impact of parenthood and gender upon research into the perinatal period is considered and effects are noted on the researcher, participants and the research itself. Reflections are discussed with reference to previous research into gender and motherhood in qualitative research, and a call is made for researchers to acknowledge their epistemological positions within their subject fields as a matter of routine

Depression literacy and awareness of psychopathological symptoms during the perinatal period.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize women's depression literacy during the perinatal period, including their ability to recognize clinically significant symptoms of depression. DESIGN: A quantitative, cross-sectional, survey design. SETTING: Internet communities and Web sites focused on the topics of pregnancy and motherhood. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 194 women during the perinatal period (32.5% pregnant, 67.5% postnatal) completed the survey; 34.0% had clinically significant psychopathological symptoms. Most women were married/cohabiting (82.0%) and employed (71.8%). METHODS: Women answered self-report questionnaires to assess depression literacy, symptoms of depression, emotional competence, and awareness/recognition of psychopathological symptoms. RESULTS: Women had moderate levels of depression literacy during the perinatal period, with higher literacy levels concerning depression-related characteristics than depression-related treatments. Lower education and lower income were associated with poor depression literacy, whereas prior history of psychiatric problems or treatments was associated with higher levels of depression literacy. An indirect effect through emotional competence in the relationship between depression literacy and awareness/recognition of symptoms was found: women with poor depression literacy tended to have a greater lack of emotional clarity, which negatively affected their symptom awareness and recognition. CONCLUSION: Our results support the need to improve women's mental health literacy during the perinatal period. Education on mental health topics in the context of a trusting relationship with health professionals may contribute to the promotion of women's depression literacy and emotional competence