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Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between postpartum maternity blues and breastfeeding and the effect of maternity blues on breastfeeding. Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted with 302 mothers who applied to Taşköprü State Hospital between May and December 2023 and met the research criteria. Data were collected using a “Sociodemographic Information Form”, the “Postpartum Maternity Blues Assessment Scale”, and the “Breastfeeding Attitude Scale”. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, as well as t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression were used. A significance level of p

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Annelik Hüznü Ölçeği’nin Türkçe geçerlik ve güvenirliğini test etmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yöntem: Araştırma, tanımlayıcı, kesitsel ve metodolojik bir tasarımla 320 anne üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler Tanıtıcı Bilgi Formu, Annelik Hüznü Ölçeği ve paralel form olarak Postpartum Uyku Kalitesi Ölçeği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde; faktör analizi, Cronbach’s alfa ve madde toplam puan korelasyonları kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Ölçek Türkçe geçerlilik güvenilirlik analizine göre 28 madde, beş alt boyuttan oluşmuş ve %55’lik bir varyans kaydetmiştir. Ölçeğin Türkçe versiyonunun Cronbach’s alfa katsayısı 0,85’dir. İki yarım test güvenirliği analizine göre birinci ve ikinci yarının Cronbach alfa katsayıları 0,70 ve 0,76, Guttman iki yarı katsayısı 0,88 ve yarılar arasındaki korelasyon katsayısı 0,81 olarak bulunmuştur. Hotelling T2 testi sonucuna göre ise ölçekte tepki yanlılığının olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Annelik Hüznü Ölçeği’nin Türkçe versiyonunun postpartum süreçte annelik hüznünü ölçmek için kullanımında geçerli ve güvenilir bir araç olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Background: The European and Greek financial turmoil that began in 2007 has had adverse health consequences. Stillbirth, low birth weight, infant mortality, and maternal suicide have all increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether socioeconomic factors contribute to postpartum blues, and whether psychoprophylaxis with group prenatal education and support may have a beneficial effect. Materials and Methods: The sample study comprised 414 pregnant women equally divided into psychoprophylaxis or standard care. There were six psychoprophylaxis sessions, with two each week lasting 2 hours each in groups of five people at the urban health center of Larissa, Greece. A questionnaire was used for data collection, including (1) closed-type questions about sociodemographic characteristics, and medical and obstetric history; (2) the Hamilton Depression Scale; (3) a Blues Questionnaire; (4) the Holmes and Rahe stressful life events scale; and (5) a scale of effects of the economic crisis. Differences between the two groups and within the groups at different time points were assessed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA tests. Results: Maternity blues scores, depression scores at all time points, life stress event score, and financial difficulty score were all significantly related to each other in both groups at all time points (p?0.01). The correlation between financial difficulties and depression/maternity blues disappeared after delivery in the intervention group. Financial difficulties, depression, and psychoprophylaxis sessions emerged as independent prognostic factors of maternity blues score, the group variable being most significantly associated with maternal blues. Conclusion: Although financial status as well as depression continued to play a role, the deterrent contribution of psychoprophylaxis was the most important parameter in the final maternity blues prognostic model. The results of our study show a potential for prevention and suggest interesting hypotheses for future interventions.

Abstract Background Breastfeeding in the early postpartum period is expected to have mental benefits for mothers; however, the underlying psychobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Previously, we hypothesized that the release of oxytocin in response to the suckling stimuli during breastfeeding would mediate a calming effect on primiparous mothers, and we examined salivary oxytocin measurements in primiparous mothers at postpartum day 4 using saliva samples without extraction, which was erroneous. Thus, further confirmation of this hypothesis with a precise methodology was needed. Methods We collected saliva samples at three time points (baseline, feeding, and post-feeding) to measure oxytocin in 24 primiparous mothers on postpartum day 2 (PD2) and 4 (PD4) across the breastfeeding cycle. Salivary oxytocin levels using both extracted and unextracted methods were measured and compared to determine the qualitative differences. State and trait anxiety and clinical demographics were evaluated to determine their association with oxytocin changes. Results Breastfeeding elevated salivary oxytocin levels; however, it was not detected to a significant increase in the extraction method at PD4. We found a weak but significant positive correlation between changes in extracted and unextracted oxytocin levels during breastfeeding (feeding minus baseline); there were no other significant positive correlations. Therefore, we used the extracted measurement index for subsequent analysis. We showed that the greater the increase in oxytocin during breastfeeding, the lower the state anxiety, but not trait anxiety. Mothers who exclusively breastfed at the 1-month follow-up tended to be associated with slightly higher oxytocin change at PD2 than those who did not. Conclusions Breastfeeding in early postpartum days could be accompanied by the frequent release of oxytocin and lower state anxiety, potentially contributing to exclusive breastfeeding.

Background: Post-partum depression (PPD) is a form of postnatal depression that affects mothers. Clinical manifestations usually appear within six months after delivery. Risk factors that influence the severity of post-partum depression are not fully known in the Iraqi population. Objectives: We aim to evaluate the risk factors and identify potential predictors that may influence the symptom levels (severity) of post-partum depression among Iraqi women from Baghdad. Subjects and Methods: The current study is cross-sectional, and we used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a cut-off value of 13 to differentiate patients into two those with lower symptom levels (LSL) and higher symptom levels (HSL). We also explored patients' attributes, newborn-related parameters, and socio-demographics. Results: The total sample included almost one hundred patients (n=101), including females with lower symptom levels (EPDS13, 51.49%). There were two significant risk factors of PPD, including marital problems (OR=3.60, 95% CI=1.54 to 8.41, p=0.003) and perinatal mood disturbances (OR=3.23, 95% CI=1.40 to 7.46, p=0.005). The former results are congruent with our multivariable ordinal regression, while path analysis and structural modeling conveyed an additional risk factor: the personal history of depression. ROC analysis did not convey any significant difference between the two groups (LSL versus HSL) based on age. However, mothers with HSL were older than the other group (29.19±0.88 versus 27.08±0.79, p=0.099). Conclusion: Post-partum depression with higher symptom levels is frequent among Iraqi mothers. Healthcare institutes should be vigilant concerning the underlying risk factors. Intervention requires integrating the role of social workers to understand the patient's family dynamics.

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Introduction: Women with emergency cesarean section (CS) have presumed effects of an unscheduled surgery on their salivary oxytocin (OXT) level and psychological state. This study aimed to measure changes in the salivary OXT levels of women with emergency CS and change in the OXT levels by delivery mode, and to investigate the association between changes in OXT levels and maternity blues. Methods: We used a longitudinal observational study. The eligibility criteria were primipara pregnant women who were planning to have vaginal delivery. The salivary OXT levels of women were measured at 36 weeks gestation, 38 weeks gestation, 1 day postpartum, and 5 days after childbirth. Maternity blues was diagnosed using the Maternity Blues Scale (13 items), ‘Fatigue after Childbirth’ was diagnosed using the Visual Analogue Scale (0–100), and the subjective symptoms of fatigue was diagnosed using the Jikaku-sho shirabe. The three groups (“Without EA”, “With EA”, and “Emergency CS”) were analyzed separately. The changes in the oxytocin levels of women with emergency CS at four time points were analyzed by using a repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: The mean OXT levels of women with emergency CS (n = 6) were significantly lower at 5 days after childbirth than at 36 weeks gestation, 38 weeks gestation, and 1 day postpartum. There was a significant middle correlation between changes in the mean maternity blues scores between 1 day and 5 days, and the mean changes in OXT levels from 38 weeks gestation to 5 days after childbirth. Conclusion: It could be assumed that women with emergency cesarean section may be affected psychologically by the unplanned method of delivery. In the present study, it was not possible to analyze this association because of the small sample size; however, it is possible to clarify predictors as the sample size accumulates in the future.

In this study, determining the knowledge and practices of primary health care professionals regarding maternity blues was aimed. The descriptive study was conducted in the Family Health and Community Health Centers in the city center of Manisa together with health care professionals (N:252). The entire relevant population was tried to be reached without using any sample selection method (n:214). The data of the study were collected with a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers in accordance with the relevant literature. Informative questions were evaluated indefinitely by giving correct answers for one score out of the total knowledge score (32 points in total). The average age of the health care professionals included in the survey was 40.22 ± 8.99. Of the research group, 41.1% was the doctors, and 48.9% was other health care professionals. When the knowledge of the health care professionals about the maternity blues is investigated, 30.4% stated they have never heard maternity blues before, and 41.6% stated not to have received any knowledge about this issue up to date. The mean scores of health care professionals regarding knowledge in maternity blues were 16.85 ± 6.65 (p < 0.05). Maternity blues isn't known by almost half of midwives and nurses. Awareness of health care professionals should be increased by providing in-service training and vocational training on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puerperium is a period of great vulnerability for the woman, associated with intense physical and emotional changes. Maternity blues (MB), also known as baby blues, postnatal blues, or post-partum blues, include low mood and mild, transient, self-limited depressive symptoms, which can be developed in the first days after delivery. However, the correct identification of this condition is difficult because a shared definition and well-established diagnostic tools are not still available. A great heterogenicity has been reported worldwide regarding MB prevalence. Studies described an overall prevalence of 39%, ranging from 13.7% to 76%, according to the cultural and geographical contexts. MB is a well-established risk factor for shifting to more severe post-partum mood disorders, such as post-partum depression and postpartum psychosis. Several risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms which could provide the foundation of MB have been the object of investigations, but only poor evidence and speculations are available until now. Taking into account its non-negligible prevalence after childbirth, making an early diagnosis of MB is important to provide adequate and prompt support to the mother, which may contribute to avoiding evolutions toward more serious post-partum disorders. In this paper, we aimed to offer an overview of the knowledge available of MB in terms of definitions, diagnosis tools, pathophysiological mechanisms, and all major clinical aspects. Clinicians should know MB and be aware of its potential evolutions in order to offer the most timely and effective evidence-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of post-partum blues and investigate the correlates of the disorder. An additional objective was to study the correlation of blues with subsequent development of psychiatric disorders. Methods: A prospective study design was adopted and a total of 73 women were included. Those who developed maternity blues were compared with those who hadn’t on multiple socio-demographic, obstetric, psychiatric and psychosocial variables. Results: The prevalence of post-partum blues was estimated to be 28.8 %. Of the women with blues 14.2% went on to develop post-partum depression whereas none of the women who had not experienced blues developed depression. It was found that there was a significant correlation between post-partum blues and the following variables in decreasing order of significance: poor marital quality, pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, past history of psychiatric illness, higher scores on stressful life events in the past one year, fear of labour and upcoming events, perinatal complications to the mother, unplanned pregnancy and family history of psychiatric illness. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of post-partum blues as these women are at higher risk of developing post-partum depression. Psycho-social variables that can contribute to the development of blues such as stressful events experienced during pregnancy and poor marital quality should be assessed and interventions planned accordingly to reduce the impact of these on women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breastfeeding in the early postpartum period is expected to have mental benefits for mothers; however, the underlying psychobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Previously, we hypothesized that the release of oxytocin in response to the suckling stimuli during breastfeeding would mediate a calming effect on primiparous mothers, and we examined salivary oxytocin measurements in primiparous mothers at postpartum day 4 using saliva samples without extraction, which was erroneous. Thus, further confirmation of this hypothesis with a precise methodology was needed.Methods: We collected saliva samples at three time points (baseline, feeding, and post-feeding) to measure oxytocin in 24 primiparous mothers on postpartum day 2 (PD2) and 4 (PD4) across the breastfeeding cycle. Salivary oxytocin levels using both extracted and unextracted methods were measured and compared to determine the qualitative differences. State and trait anxiety and clinical demographics were evaluated to determine their association with oxytocin changes.Results: Breastfeeding elevated salivary oxytocin levels; however, it was not detected to a significant increase in the extraction method at PD4. We found a weak but significant positive correlation between changes in extracted and unextracted oxytocin levels during breastfeeding (feeding minus baseline); there were no other significant positive correlations. Therefore, we used the extracted measurement index for subsequent analysis. We showed that the greater the increase in oxytocin during breastfeeding, the lower the state anxiety, but not trait anxiety. Mothers who exclusively breastfed at the 1-month follow-up tended to be associated with slightly higher oxytocin change at PD2 than those who did not.Conclusions: Breastfeeding in early postpartum days could be accompanied by the frequent release of oxytocin and lower state anxiety, potentially contributing to exclusive breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of the present study are to: (1) assess the frequency of maternity blues (MB); (2) identify the clinical and social characteristics more frequently associated with the onset of depressive symptoms after delivery; and (3) verify the hypothesis that the presence of maternity blues is a risk factor for the onset of a full-blown depressive episode in the 12 months after delivery.Methods: This is a longitudinal observational study. All pregnant women who gave birth at the inpatient unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” from December 2019 to February 2021 have been invited to participate in the study. Upon acceptance, women were asked to complete the Italian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale along with an ad-hoc questionnaire on the women's sociodemographic, gynecological and peripartum characteristics as well as their psychiatric history. Women have been reassessed after one, 3, 6 and 12 months.Results: A total of 359 women were recruited within 3 days from delivery, with a mean EPDS total score of 5.51 (±4.20). Eighty-three women (23.1%) reported the presence of maternity blues. Mean EPDS total scores were 12.8 (±0.2) in the MB group vs. 4.26 (±0.2) in the group without MB (p

Background: The aims of the present study are to: (1) assess the frequency of maternity blues (MB); (2) identify the clinical and social characteristics more frequently associated with the onset of depressive symptoms after delivery; and (3) verify the hypothesis that the presence of maternity blues is a risk factor for the onset of a full-blown depressive episode in the 12 months after delivery. Methods: This is a longitudinal observational study. All pregnant women who gave birth at the inpatient unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" from December 2019 to February 2021 have been invited to participate in the study. Upon acceptance, women were asked to complete the Italian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale along with an ad-hoc questionnaire on the women's sociodemographic, gynecological and peripartum characteristics as well as their psychiatric history. Women have been reassessed after one, 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: A total of 359 women were recruited within 3 days from delivery, with a mean EPDS total score of 5.51 (±4.20). Eighty-three women (23.1%) reported the presence of maternity blues. Mean EPDS total scores were 12.8 (±0.2) in the MB group vs. 4.26 (±0.2) in the group without MB (p <0.0001). MB predictors were the presence of an anxiety disorder with an onset 6 months prior to pregnancy, of preeclampsia, of increased fetal health rate, of conflicts with relatives other than partner and having a partner with an anxiety disorder. At multivariate analyses the presence of MB increased 7-time the risk to have a higher EPDS score at follow-up assessments (OR: 7.79; CI: 6.88–8.70, p <0.000). This risk is almost four times higher 1 months after the delivery (OR: 4.66; CI: 2.54–6.75, p < 0.000), almost three times higher after 3 months (OR: 2.98; CI: 0.50–5.46, p < 0.01) and almost six times higher after 12 months (OR: 5.88; CI: 3.20–8.54, p < 0.000). Conclusions: Although MB was a self-limiting condition in the majority of cases, depressive symptoms arose quite often immediately after the childbirth. Professionals should be trained to monitor symptoms of MB and its transition toward a depressive episode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to clarify (a) the association of the delivery mode (i.e., epidural anesthesia or no epidural) with women's changes in longitudinal salivary oxytocin (OT) levels from late pregnancy to early postpartum, and (b) the association of these changes with postpartum maternity blues (MB) and fatigue. Methods: We used a longitudinal observational design. We performed measurements of the saliva samples at four measurement points: (a) 36-37 gestational weeks, (b) 38-39 gestational weeks, (c) 1-2 days after birth, and (d) 4-5 days after birth. The inclusion criterion was low-risk primiparous women who were planning to have vaginal delivery. We used Stein's MB scale to evaluate postpartum data and a visual analog scale to examine "postpartum fatigue". We determined the association between the MB/fatigue scores and the changes in the OT levels by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: There were 29 women who delivered with epidural anesthesia and 29 women who did not. A significantly higher mean salivary OT level was observed in the women with epidural anesthesia at 1-2 days after birth than at 36-37 gestational weeks. The mean OT level at 4-5 days postpartum was significantly lower than that at 1-2 days postpartum. The correlation of the MB score with the salivary OT level at 4-5 days postpartum was p = -0.33, p = .01. Conclusions: Early postpartum OT level decreased with epidural anesthesia and showed a negative correlation with postpartum MB and fatigue. Healthcare providers should recognize that women who had epidural anesthesia need specific supportive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify risk factors for maternity blues (MB) and to evaluate the impact of obstetric factors on MB prevalence.Materials and Methods: 194 mothers have completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) 2 days after delivery. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the predictors of MB.Results: 57 women (29.4%) were positive at screening. Comparing the two groups, no statistically significant difference was found in age (p = .536), nationality (p = .065) and BMI before pregnancy (p = .224). Interestingly, no significant differences were highlighted in terms of assisted reproduction technology or spontaneous pregnancies and the presence of labor analgesia, while MB was significantly more frequent in case of cesarean section (CS) (p = .035). Statistical differences have been found in previous CS (p = .022), previous voluntary interruption of pregnancy (p = .021), number of previous pregnancies (p = .007), Apgar 5' (p = .026), lower level of education (p = .009), and previous postpartum depression (PPD) (p = .026). A logistic regression analysis was realized according to a multivariate model incorporating all the variables with a p-value ≤.25 in bivariate analysis. In the final model vaginal delivery (OR 0.451, 95% CI [0.224-0.911], p = .026) resulted to be MB protective factor, while a lower level of education (OR 3.657, 95% CI [1.482-9.023], p = .005) as well as previous PPD (OR 4.714, 95% CI [1.273-17.458], p = .020) were identified as independent risk factors.Conclusion: This study showed that a lower education level and a previous PPD resulted to be important risk factors for MB development, while natural delivery was revealed as a protective factor. These results could be used to develop a better and more accurate prevention program after delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women undergo adaptive physical and psychological changes during pregnancy, which make them vulnerable to psychological disorders. Methods: This study used a prospective observational design and included concurrent validation analysis of the 16-item Maternity Blues Scale (MBS) Dutch version to determine the direction and magnitude on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) symptoms, including three factors, anhedonia, anxiety, and depression in 320 puerperae early after childbirth. Results: We found a statistically significant correlation between MBS and EPDS global scores (0.22, p <.001). Moreover, Negative affect was significantly correlated with the EPDS global score (0.23, p <.001), anhedonia (0.12, p <.05), and anxiety (0.25, p <.001); Positive affect with the EPDS global score (0.14, p <.05) and depression (0.13, p <.05); and Depression subscale with EPDS global score (0.15, p <.05), anhedonia (0.12, p <.05), and anxiety (0.12, p <.05), and depression (0.12, p <.05). In addition, the subgroup of women (n = 33, 10.3%) with EPDS > 12 presented significantly higher global MBS score (2.51 ± 0.38 versus 2.26 ± 0.38, p =.01), with negative affect (2.88 ± 0.67 versus 2.62 ± 0.38, p=.04), positive affect (2.52 ± 0.69 versus 2.32 ± 0.38, p =.04), and depression (2.09 ± 0.75 versus 1.82 ± 0.36, p =.02). Conclusion: These findings together suggest that women with higher maternity blues scores may represent a distinct subgroup at increased risk of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To validate the Greek version of Kennerley and Gath's Blues Questionnaire (BQ) and gather further knowledge on maternity blues (MB) associations with certain clinical and sociodemographic factors in Greek population. Material and methods: 116 postpartum women, who met the inclusion criteria, completed the Blues Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on the third day after delivery. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. Results: Fifty women (43.1%) experienced severe MB on the third day postpartum. Lower number of previous births, fewer years of marriage, and husband's occupation were found to be associated with MB occurrence. Of them, years of marriage (odds 0.21, p =.001) and husband's occupation in private sector (odds 1.21, p =.04) were independent predictors of MB in logistic regression analysis. Cronbach's α for the total 28-item Greek version of BQ was 0.85. Cluster analysis in our data showed that the optimal number of clusters of BQ items was 4; these four clusters of items presented similarities with the Bartholomew and Horowitz's four-category model of attachment styles (avoidant – dismissing, preoccupied, secure, avoidant – fearful). Conclusions: The Greek version of Blues Questionnaire is a reliable tool for the detection and measurement of MB. Fewer years of marriage and the economic insecurity seem to have strong impact on the occurrence of MB. Further investigation is needed to evaluate whether the phenomenon of MB is associated with parental or mother-to-infant bonding disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 19% of all mothers, with detrimental effects on both mother and child. The antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of plasma oxytocin are well-documented, but it is still disputable whether synthetic oxytocin (synOT) may protect women against postpartum mood alterations. The current study examined the association between synOT intrapartum and maternal mood postpartum using a prospective design. Two hundred sixty women were screened for depressive symptoms in the last trimester of pregnancy and then again 6 weeks and 9 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. They also completed Maternity Blues Questionnaire in the first postpartum week. The data concerning the intrapartum interventions and health status of the newborn were extracted from the medical records. Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for a history of depression, mode of delivery, and childbirth experience showed that synOT predicted a significantly lower risk of PPD (HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.45–0.95, p = 0.025). The risk factors for PPD included a history of depression (HR = 3.20, 95% CI 2.33–4.40, p < 0.001) and negative childbirth experience (HR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.01–1.90, p = 0.040). Logistic regression adjusted for the same covariates found no significant effect of synOT on maternity blues (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.31–1.32, p = 0.23). While synOT administered intrapartum does not affect maternal mood immediately, it may come to effect some weeks after childbirth to protect mothers from developing PPD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Il testo teatrale From Medea – Maternity Blues di Grazia Verasani mette in scena la maternità che uccide, ma suggerisce anche un possibile viatico di salvezza che fa perno sulla rinegoziazione dei diversi significati di maternità e di solidarietà tra donne. Come suggerisce il titolo, le quattro protagoniste sono madri infanticide o figlicide, malate (affette, almeno in due casi, da maternity blues, o sindrome post partum) o forse persino folli. La pièce evoca il mito di Medea, ma sembra in apparenza discostarsi da quella tendenza novecentesca, indicata da Fusillo, che ha visto il proliferare di testi che si richiamano variamente al mito di Medea e si incentrano sul nucleo tematico della barbarie, per l’evidente contemporaneità delle questioni legate all’alterità geografica e culturale. Se in From Medea la barbarie non viene attualizzata né viene proposta alla stregua di schema antropologico di ampio respiro come indicato dai due modelli proposti da Fusillo, qui si vuole dimostrare che anche in quest’opera la barbarie (il cui etimo greco indica nella balbuzie il marchio dell’alterità linguistica e culturale) costituisce il nucleo tematico in quanto rappresenta la forma e la sostanza di una sorta di “meccanismo inceppato” che pervade le protagoniste. Con riferimento alla definizione delle memorie traumatiche di Suzette Henke, si intende esplorare come tale meccanismo non coinvolga soltanto il parlare franto e interrotto, ma si riveli anche nei comportamenti delle protagoniste, come conseguenza sia del conflitto tra il modello proposto dalla società patriarcale e il senso di maternità da loro variamente declinata, sia come conseguenza della memoria del trauma dell’omicidio. Inoltre, con riferimento alle teorizzazioni di Cavarero sulla maternità, si vuole esplorare quale viatico per la salvezza l’autrice individui per le donne-lettrici-spettatrici, e quale modello venga proposto per poter affrancare la maternità dal pesante fardello delle costruzioni dell’ordine simbolico maschile che si è appropriato della capacità generativa femminile per ingabbiarla in un sistema di oppressione.

Purpose: Among negative emotions, anger has not been studied in as much depth in her connection to postpartum mood disorders. The study aimed to investigate the role of anger as a potential vulnerability factor increasing the risk of Maternity Blues (MB) and Postpartum Depression (PPD).Materials and Methods: Pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy underwent the following tests: the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 - STAXI-2 (baseline visit), the Blues Questionnaire -BQ (3 and 5 days after delivery), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (3 and 6 months following delivery).Results: One hundred ten subjects were included in this study. The prevalence rate of mothers with MB was about 35%, whereas about 4% of women developed a PPD. Significant positive correlations were found among State anger (SANG), Trait anger (TANG), anger expression out (AXO) and in (AXI) and postpartum depressive disorders, as measured by blues questionnaire (BQ) and EPDS.Conclusions: Anger experience and expression can be considered as vulnerability factors for postpartum mood disorders onset. Particularly, the expression of angry feelings toward other persons or objects in the environment (AXO) predicts the onset of MB, whereas holding in or suppressing angry feelings (AXI) could be a risk factor for subsequent PPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To validate the Greek version of Kennerley and Gath's Blues Questionnaire (BQ) and gather further knowledge on maternity blues (MB) associations with certain clinical and sociodemographic factors in Greek population.Material and methods: 116 postpartum women, who met the inclusion criteria, completed the Blues Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on the third day after delivery. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected.Results: Fifty women (43.1%) experienced severe MB on the third day postpartum. Lower number of previous births, fewer years of marriage, and husband's occupation were found to be associated with MB occurrence. Of them, years of marriage (odds 0.21, p = .001) and husband's occupation in private sector (odds 1.21, p = .04) were independent predictors of MB in logistic regression analysis. Cronbach's α for the total 28-item Greek version of BQ was 0.85. Cluster analysis in our data showed that the optimal number of clusters of BQ items was 4; these four clusters of items presented similarities with the Bartholomew and Horowitz's four-category model of attachment styles (avoidant - dismissing, preoccupied, secure, avoidant - fearful).Conclusions: The Greek version of Blues Questionnaire is a reliable tool for the detection and measurement of MB. Fewer years of marriage and the economic insecurity seem to have strong impact on the occurrence of MB. Further investigation is needed to evaluate whether the phenomenon of MB is associated with parental or mother-to-infant bonding disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive-behavioural approach and solution-focused counselling on prevention of postpartum depression in nulliparous pregnant women.Background:Maternity blues is a common disorder and postpartum depression is a serious disorder. Therefore, the use of preventive measures and timely intervention is of particular importance.Methods:In this randomised clinical trial, 85 nulliparous pregnant women at 30–35 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: cognitive-behavioural counselling (n = 25), solution-focused counselling (n = 25) and control (n = 35). Counselling meetings were held on a weekly basis. The cognitive-behavioural group received four sessions of counselling and the solution-focused group received three sessions of counselling. The control group received only routine pregnancy healthcare services. Maternity blues and postpartum depression were, respectively, measured on postpartum days 5 and 15 through the Austin Inventory and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The mean scores of the three groups were compared using one-way ANOVA.Results:The results of this study showed that the maternity blues mean scores of the three groups of cognitive-behavioural counselling, solution-focused counselling and control groups were 6.1 ± 4.6, 4.2 ± 3.6 and 6.7 ± 4.9, respectively, and the difference between the scores was significant. The mean scores of postnatal depression on the 15th postpartum day in the three groups were 6.7 ± 5.3, 4.4 ± 4.4 and 10.4 ± 5.9, respectively. The results showed that cognitive-behavioural and solution-focused counselling significantly reduced the maternity blues and postpartum depression scores compared with the control group and no difference was observed between the scores of these two counselling methods. The odds ratio of being depressed in women with maternity blues was 7.6 (95% CI: 2.1–27.5).Conclusion:Integration of solution-focused and cognitive-behavioural counselling programmes in prenatal care can be effective for improving the mental health of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction & Objective: Pregnancy and childbirth are significant developmental excitable for most women. Physical, intrapersonal and relational adaptations are needed to adjust successfully to pregnancy and delivery. Postpartum depression is a serious psychiatric disorder and the adverse impact on infants has been noted. The purpose of this study was to detect postpartum depression in referents to medical and health centers in Hamadan city. Materials & Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study involving 400 women completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) within 2-8 weeks of delivery was conducted in urban health centers in Hamadan city, Iran. Data were collected through interviews with women in the clinics in the health centers. Data processing and statistical analysis were performed using SPSS 10.0. Results: The results revealed that majority of women (68.0%) were considered normal. Depression was detected in 32.0% of women. Out of these 19.0, 4.0 and 9.0% were mild, moderate and severe depression, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between postpartum depression and age, number of delivery, education, job and husband's job (P=0.000). Conclusion: Nearly 32.0% of selected women had depression. Therefore, it is important for medical personnel to be well versed in the course and treatment of postpartum depression. Post partum depression should be screened and treated as early as possible for several reasons. It can cause significant suffering for the woman who experiences it, and it can have deleterious consequences for the newborn.

Background Rapid cycling mood symptoms during the first postpartum week are an important aspect of maternity blues. The aim of this study is to identify women with these rapid cycling mood symptoms in the general population and to investigate possible risk factors of these symptoms. Methods The Maternity Blues Scale (MBS) was validated in The Netherlands in 949 women at one week postpartum. Personal and family history of mood disorders and obstetric demographics were collected and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed. A 16-item three-factor MBS solution was found: depression, negative and positive affect. The latter two were used to define a rapid cycling mood symptoms group. Results Using the 75th percentile cut-off, 20 (2%) women reported high negative/high positive affect (rapid cycling mood group) and 65 (7%) women were depressed (EPDS≥11). A previous episode of depression, major life events and instrumental delivery were independently related to depression (OR 3.5, 2.5 and 2.3, respectively) while only a history of depression in first-degree relatives was independently related to rapid cycling mood (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2–9.8). Limitations First, no syndromal diagnoses were obtained for depression and rapid cycling mood disorder. Second, history of depression was self-reported (not based on structural psychiatric interviews). Third, our study was not designed to study the longitudinal follow-up of women with rapid cycling mood symptoms. Conclusion the 16-item MBS could be useful in screening programs in detecting postpartum women at risk for (severe) mood disorders. Postpartum women with ‘rapid cycling mood symptoms’ can be identified with a possible more familiar form of mood disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The European and Greek financial turmoil that began in 2007 has had adverse health consequences. Stillbirth, low birth weight, infant mortality, and maternal suicide have all increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether socioeconomic factors contribute to postpartum blues, and whether psychoprophylaxis with group prenatal education and support may have a beneficial effect., Materials and Methods: The sample study comprised 414 pregnant women equally divided into psychoprophylaxis or standard care. There were six psychoprophylaxis sessions, with two each week lasting 2 hours each in groups of five people at the urban health center of Larissa, Greece. A questionnaire was used for data collection, including (1) closed-type questions about sociodemographic characteristics, and medical and obstetric history; (2) the Hamilton Depression Scale; (3) a Blues Questionnaire; (4) the Holmes and Rahe stressful life events scale; and (5) a scale of effects of the economic crisis. Differences between the two groups and within the groups at different time points were assessed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA tests., Results: Maternity blues scores, depression scores at all time points, life stress event score, and financial difficulty score were all significantly related to each other in both groups at all time points ( p  < 0.01). The correlation between financial difficulties and depression/maternity blues disappeared after delivery in the intervention group. Financial difficulties, depression, and psychoprophylaxis sessions emerged as independent prognostic factors of maternity blues score, the group variable being most significantly associated with maternal blues., Conclusion: Although financial status as well as depression continued to play a role, the deterrent contribution of psychoprophylaxis was the most important parameter in the final maternity blues prognostic model. The results of our study show a potential for prevention and suggest interesting hypotheses for future interventions., Competing Interests: No competing financial interests exist., (© Konstantina Natsiou et al., 2023; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)

Abstract: Background: The primary objective of this study was to analyze the pattern of depressive moods related to pregnancy and postpartum in a dataset collected prospectively. A secondary objective was to assess the association between (1) low moods during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms, and (2) maternity blues and postpartum depressive symptom. Method: Three hundred eighty-seven women completed self-administered questionnaires. The participants were asked to respond to Stein''s Maternity Blues Scale (Stein''s Scale) on five consecutive days after delivery and to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during both pregnancy and postpartum. Results: 32.0% of the women were identified as having a score of more than 9 on EPDS during pregnancy and postpartum. 21.6% of the women scored above the Stein''s Scale cut-off point for at least 1 day during the 5-day period following delivery. The odds ratio (95% CI) for postpartum low mood if the women experienced low mood during pregnancy was 4.46 (2.48–8.04), while the odds ratio for postpartum depressive symptoms if the women experienced symptoms of maternity blues was 5.48 (2.74–10.98). In logistic regression analysis, the number of days in which women scored over the cut-off point by Stein''s Scale proved to be the more significant predictor of scoring over the EPDS cutoff (8/9) [OR (95% CI)=2.74 (1.89–3.96)]. Conclusion: The rate of maternity blues in our findings was similar to the rates previously reported in Japan, but lower than the rates observed in Western countries. Furthermore, our longitudinal study confirms the likelihood of subsequent postpartum depressive symptoms if low moods during pregnancy and/or maternity blues are present. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Abstract: Background: Immune activation has been shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety states and major depression and pregnancy is associated with a characteristic immune activation to sustain the fetus. Despite the possibility of a relation between immune parameters and postpartum mood disturbance, few studies have explored this association. Further, no study to-date has examined CSF. Methods: Fifty-six Greek parturients were recruited and a detailed medical and obstetric history was recorded. All of them completed the Postpartum Blues Questionnaire (on admission and on days 1–4 postpartum) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (at first and sixth week postpartum). At delivery, a blood sample and a CSF sample while puncturing for epidural analgesia were taken from 33 participants; blood samples only were obtained from the rest of the 23 parturients. TNF-a and IL-6 were quantified with an ELISA assay. Results: A multiple regression analysis of psychometric scores depending on cytokine levels revealed that cytokine levels were positively associated with depressive mood during the first four days postpartum (p =0.035 for CSF IL-6, p =0.025 for CSF TnF-a, p =0.023 for serum TnF-a) and also at sixth week postpartum (p =0.012 for CSF IL-6, p =0.072 for CSF TnF-a). Pregnancy duration had an adverse association to psychometric scores. Conclusions: It is suggested that immune mechanisms may play a role in the etiopathology of postpartum depressive mood shifts. The role of a “rebound” reaction of the maternal immune system postnatal should be further investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Maternity blues have been described as a relevant risk factor for postpartum depression. Information regarding the influence of maternity blues on the onset and course of clinical postpartum anxiety disorders is scarce. The goal of this study was to determine whether maternity blues significantly predict postpartum depression and anxiety disorders in the first 3 months after delivery in a German sample. Demographic, psychiatric, and obstetric correlates of maternity blues were also investigated. Methods: Maternity blues were assessed 2 weeks after delivery in a community sample of 853 women using a telephone interview and the Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression. Depression and anxiety disorders were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria over the first 3 months following delivery. A two-stage screening procedure was applied. In a first stage, the Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression, the Edinburgh Depression Scale, and two anxiety-screening instruments were employed. In the case of clinically relevant scores, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV was administered in a second stage. Results: The estimated prevalence rate of maternity blues among German women was 55.2%. We found a significant association between maternity blues and postpartum depression (odds ratio: 3.8) and between maternity blues and anxiety disorders (odds ratio=3.9). Limitations: Based on our predominantly middle class low-risk sample, maternity blues prevalence may be underestimated. Retrospective assessment of maternity blues 2 weeks postpartum might lead to biased results. Conclusions: Women with maternity blues should be carefully observed in the first weeks postpartum with the aim of identifying those at risk of developing postpartum depression/anxiety disorders and providing treatment at an early stage of the disorder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Maternity blues and postpartum depression are common complications of childbearing. However, few studies have shown the relationship between the severity of maternity blues and the risk of postnatal depression. We carried out a longitudinal study among Japanese women to show that maternity blues is a useful factor for predicting postpartum depression.Methods: Two hundred and thirty-five women completed questionnaires before delivery, and five days, one month, and three months after delivery. They were required to answer the Stein's Blues Scale and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and other variables. A sequential logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association of maternity blues with postpartum depression. The stratum-specific likelihood ratio was then calculated.Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression was 12.8%. A Stein's Blues Scale of eight or above was significantly associated with postnatal depression. Likelihood ratios (95% CI ) for the Stein's Blues Scale of 0 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 11 and 12 or more were 0.33 (0.16-0.65), 1.06 (0.60-1.88), 3.42 (1.64-7.12) and 9.57 (3.41-26.86), respectively.Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternity blues is a strong predictor of postpartum depression. The higher the blues score, the higher the risk of postpartum depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The link between mood disorders and cholesterol is characterized by some contradictory data. In particular, it is not clear whether health factors are responsible for lowered cholesterol levels and mood swings. The present study tests the association between serum cholesterol level and psychological distress in women in two different post-delivery hospital settings: rooming-in (RI) and no rooming-in (no-RI). On day 3 after childbirth, 147 RI and 209 no-RI women completed the Kellner Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), which evaluates anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms and hostility. Plasma cholesterol concentration was measured on the same day. There was a significant negative correlation between cholesterol and depressive symptoms in no-RI women, but not in the RI group. However, this correlation is characterized by an extremely small effect size (−0.15). The findings of this study cast further doubt on the hypothesis of a possible association between cholesterol and depression in the general population and in mothers who have just given birth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Although maternity blues have been studied in many countries worldwide the factors that influence the occurrence of this clinical entity are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, time course and symptomatology of maternity blues in a Greek urban environment as well as the relation of maternity blues with certain clinical and sociodemographic factors. Method: A study of a sample of 402 women that were recruited during the first day after delivery. Each woman completed the Kennerley''s Blues Questionnaire on a daily basis for the first 3 days of puerpartum. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained through questionnaires and personal interview. Results: 179 (44.5%) women experienced severe maternity blues during the first 3 days after delivery. Delivery by caesarian section (P =0.006), stressful events during pregnancy (P =0.02), depressive feelings the last month prior to delivery(P =0.002), anxiety on the day of delivery (P =0.001) and hypochondriasis (P =0.001) were the factors that were found to relate significantly to maternity blues. Conclusion: The women''s emotional condition prior and after delivery, delivery via caesarotomy, as well as fears concerning somatic health had strong impact on the occurrence of maternity blues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The study aims to investigate the prevalence of maternity blues and examine the risk factors involved in a group of Nigerian postpartum women. Study design: Five hundred and two postpartum women who had a normal vaginal delivery in 5 health centers in Ilesa Township were assessed with the Maternity Blues Scale daily for the first 10 days' postpartum. They also filled a structured questionnaire detailing their sociodemographic and obstetric histories. Results: The prevalence of maternity blues was 31.3%, and the symptoms peaked at the fifth day postpartum. The predictors of maternity blues include significant mood change during the pregnancy (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.42–6.11), past admission during the pregnancy (OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.78–5.39), female baby (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.53–4.12), and single mothers (OR 3.35, 95% CI 2.26–5.64). Conclusion: The prevalence and the significant risk factors for maternity blues seem to differ across culture. Obstetricians and midwives have to consider this in strategies for prevention and management of postpartum depression in new mothers in this environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of labor pain intensity and labor pain catastrophizing on maternity blues and postpartum social functioning. Study design: Pain intensity and pain catastrophizing were assessed in 89 women in active labor before the administration of analgesia. Both these measures were assessed again retrospectively 2 days after delivery in 82 women who had a spontaneous vaginal delivery. Women also filled out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Six weeks later women completed the social functioning domain of the short form SF36 health survey. Results: Pain catastrophizing during labor significantly predicted both maternity blues (P = .001) and postpartum social functioning (P = .001) when being controlled for maternal age and education, parity, type of analgesia, and labor pain intensity. Low level of education and younger age also contributed to the prediction of maternity blues and social functioning. Conclusion: Labor pain catastrophizing rather than labor pain intensity predicts postpartum maternal adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was measure the prevalence and influencing factors of depressive mood after delivery. We performed this study on 912 women who gave birth at Maternity Hospital in Bursa/Turkey. We used Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and a questionnaire in order to obtain the women's backgrounds and the possible risk factor characteristics. The ZSDS and questionnaire were filled out within 1 week after the delivery, by means of face-to-face interviews at the hospital, and 1 month after delivery all the women were visited at their homes and the ZSDS was performed again. In our study, 18% of the mothers (164/912) scored 60 and over in the ZSDS 1 week after childbirth. This percentage had fallen to 9.8% (89/912) 1 month after childbirth. The prevalence of maternity blues in our study was 13.1%. In terms of depression, we found no significant differences regarding age, fertility characteristics, length of labor, residence after childbirth, help after childbirth, breast-feeding practices and the health of the baby. Low educational and economic levels were found to be effective factors in postnatal mood for our population. They may also be risk factors for postnatal depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in), a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, in stabilizing postpartum psychological state. We enrolled 268 women who had a normal delivery in Osaka Medical College Hospital or its affiliated clinics and randomly assigned them to the following two groups: a group of 134 women who received Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) at a dose of 6.0 g/day and another group of 134 women without Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) (control group). We observed 2.06-fold and 1.67-fold higher incidences of depressive mood and nervousness, respectively, after delivery in the control group than in the Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) group. Within 3 weeks of postpartum, there was a significant difference in the incidences of maternity blues between the Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) group (15.7%; 21/134) and the control group (32.1%; 43/134) (p=0.0195). No adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of this study demonstrate the beneficial clinical effects of Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) in stabilizing psychological state in the postpartum period. Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in) can be expected to improve the mental health of women in the postpartum period and prevent maternity blues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]