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Feb 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-15-848
Wittkowski AnjaCorresponding author
University of Manchester, Division of Psychology and Mental Health
Postpartum depression is a common mood disorder following childbirth. Depression occurring at this crucial stage in a child’s life is known to have far reaching and potentially damaging consequences for the mother, the baby and her family. Whilst a number of risk factors have been identified in the literature as contributing to the development of postpartum depression, including a past psychiatric history and lack of social support, some of these are not easily modifiable through psychological interventions. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the contribution of specific psychological factors, including maternal beliefs about motherhood and perfectionism and perceived social support, in the development of postpartum depression. Seventy-three pregnant women consented to take part and returned questionnaires during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Of those women, 61 also completed questionnaires 4-6 weeks following the birth of their baby. Significant associations were identified for postpartum depression and the psychological variables of perfectionistic beliefs and social support, whereas many demographic factors were not significantly implicated in the development of depression. Using a multiple hierarchical regression analysis, the study examined whether maternal beliefs about motherhood and beliefs about perfectionism predicted more of the variance in postpartum depression scores than other demographic variables, including a past history of emotional difficulties. As predicted, beliefs about motherhood and perceptions of poor social support from friends and family were significant predictors of postpartum depression, when the influence of antenatal depression scores were accounted for. A past history of emotional difficulties was also retained in the final model, whereas beliefs about perfectionism were not. These findings have implications for clinical services, highlighting the need for refined assessments of expectant mothers’ beliefs about motherhood and their perceptions of their social support during pregnancy and the need for more refined psychological interventions that address these beliefs.
Dec 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-24-5317
Ndje Mireille NdjeCorresponding author
Adolescence in Cameroon, as in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, is often marked by early childbearing. Studies have shown a national prevalence of adolescent deliveries to be around 14.2% - 14.4%, a higher rate than the average for sub-Saharan Africa This presents a unique challenge for young mothers, who must navigate the complex process of identity reorganization while still navigating their own adolescence with its multiple changes. This article explores the experiences of primiparous (first-time) Cameroonian adolescents as they transition from daughters to mothers. The objective of this article is to understand how identity reorganization takes place among primiparous Cameroonian adolescents who pass without transition from the status of daughter to the status of mother. Drawing on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, with seven participants chosen on the basis of selection criteria, the article examines the psychological, social, and cultural factors that shape this identity shift. An interview guide with three main themes made it possible to collect verbatim comments from the participants. The thematic analysis highlights the challenges faced by these young mothers, such as navigating social stigma, managing emotional upheaval, and balancing motherhood with their own developmental needs. The findings of this study highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of identity reorganization among primiparous Cameroonian adolescents. The social stigma associated with early childbearing, coupled with the emotional and practical demands of motherhood, can pose significant challenges to these young women. However, a study on a larger sample could reveal the resilience and resourcefulness of some adolescents, who find support within their communities and employ various coping mechanisms to navigate this transition. Finally, the article discusses the implications of these findings for adolescent maternal health interventions and social policy in Cameroon.
Mar 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4372.jesr-20-3593
Hernández Víctor Manuel VargasCorresponding author
Female Health Clinic, Mexico
Background Women play an important role in the work setting. This leads them to put off their motherhood, sometimes preventing them from getting pregnant. Delaying pregnancy face women with low ovarian response, such as in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) or Ovarian Aging (OA). There is no current treatment, although there is evidence of improving ovarian function by inyecting mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Materials and Methods Prospective, observational study of 17 women who attended Pronatal Clinic from 2019 to 2020. Each patient was registered in Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) and was enrolled in ovarian treatment with an autologous adipose tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cell (AD-MSCs) protocol. Three groups were assembled: 1) Control: AMH >1.2 ng/mL, without AD-MSCs, 2) POI/OA: female infertility due to POI/OA with AMH <1.2 ng/mL and 3) Amenorrhea: female infertility due to POI/OA with amenorrhea and AMH <1.2 ng/mL. Variables: Age, weight, height, serum AMH, endometrial thickness, follicular size and number on day 2 and 11 of the menstrual cycle, oocyte number, number of blastocysts and pregnancy rate. Results Between month 2 and 5, after AD-MSCs inyection, POI/OA group showed an increase in follicle number (2 to 9) and size (13.5 to 15.5 mm) on day 11 of the menstrual cycle, which resulted in a higher number of MII oocytes (2.6 to 4.2), and an increase in number of blastocysts (0 to 3) and endometrial thickness (8.6 to 9.4). Regarding the Amenorrhea group, a reboot in menstrual cycle was observed, although no further development of blastocyst was found. Conclusion The AD-MSCs inyection directly in the ovary allowed an increase in number of blastocysts and improved pregnancy rates in POI/OA patients.
Sep 2014 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-14-499
L. Edwards ChristopherCorresponding author
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medical Psychology, Duke University Medical Center.
Medical advances in obstetrics and hematology have encouraged researchers to investigate the reproductive risk in women with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) attempting motherhood. However, few hematological studies have been completed focused specifically on the reproductive mental health of Black women with SCD. Historically women with SCD have been guided away from childbirth under the premise that they were not emotionally or physically capable of managing children. One question that remains unclear, from the limited research available in this area, is whether the presence of children serves to influence mood and pain in Black women with SCD. The current study examined the effects of the presence of children on self-reported pain and depressive symptoms and the relationship between pain and psychological functioning in African American women with SCD. Self-reported rates of depression, pain intensity, and pain severity were evaluated in 70 African American females with SCD. Results of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) did not find differences in reported mood or pain between women with and without children. The current study serves as an initial observation upon which replication of the current findings and future prospective studies can be conducted. The study may ultimately mature into an area of research that guides reproductive decision-making for women with SCD and their doctors.