Breastfeeding Intention and Breastfeeding Postpartum Outcomes between High-Risk and Low-Risk Pregnant Women: A Greek Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study, conducted from pregnancy to six months postpartum and grounded in STROBE methodology, quantitatively explores the relationship between antenatal breastfeeding intentions and subsequent breastfeeding outcomes among high-risk pregnant women, compared to a low-risk pregnancy group. METHODS: The study was conducted in one of the largest public hospitals in Attica that provides care to pregnant women, enrolling 380 participants divided into high-risk (n = 200) and low-risk (n = 180) cohorts. Data were collected over 20 months (starting from the end of May 2020 until January 2022), spanning from pregnancy to six months postpartum, via comprehensive questionnaires. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a pronounced correlation between prenatal breastfeeding intentions and actual breastfeeding behaviors across both groups. Specifically, 81.1% of women in the high-risk group and 82.5% in the low-risk group expressed intentions of exclusively breastfeeding during pregnancy. By six months postpartum, 54.9% of the high-risk and 64.3% of the low-risk pregnancy group managed to sustain breastfeeding. Extended antenatal hospitalization emerged as a statistically significant factor (p = 0.045) negatively impacting exclusive breastfeeding intentions among high-risk pregnancies. CONCLUSION: The findings illuminate the critical influence of antenatal intentions on breastfeeding outcomes, particularly among high-risk pregnancies. Moreover, the study identifies the detrimental effect of prolonged hospital stays on breastfeeding aspirations. These insights underscore the necessity for nuanced, supportive interventions aimed at bolstering breastfeeding rates, thereby advancing maternal and neonatal health objectives aligned with World Health Organization recommendations.

Healthcare Professionals' Beliefs and Views towards Exercise during Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals appear to play a key role in shaping pregnant women's views and attitudes towards lifestyle issues, such as exercise. The aim of this study is to investigate the views and beliefs of Greek midwives and obstetricians regarding exercise during pregnancy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted during the period of January 2022-March 2023. For this study, 237 Greek midwives and obstetricians employed in healthcare settings in Attica, Greece completed an anonymous and self-report questionnaire. Four different/independent models of multivariate analyses of variance were conducted. RESULTS: The vast majority of these healthcare professionals (88.6%) believed that exercise during pregnancy is generally beneficial. According to the multivariate analyses, healthcare professionals with postgraduate/doctoral studies were more likely to believe that (a) exercise is generally beneficial (p = 0.03), (b) pregnant women should be informed about it (p = 0.028), (c) informing pregnant women is necessary/useful (p = 0.023), and (d) pregnant women showed interest in it (p = 0.034). Also, freelance midwives were more likely to believe that pregnant women should be informed about exercise (p = 0.006), and that they showed interest in it (p = 0.034). In addition, (a) freelance midwives (p = 0.050), and those who had experience in antenatal counselling (p = 0.037), as well as (b) obstetricians who were largely experienced in monitoring normal pregnancies (p = 0.001), were less likely to associate exercise during pregnancy with the occurrence of placental abruption. CONCLUSION: Alongside healthcare professionals' educational level, their professional setting and professional experience emerge as key factors and need to be considered when designing innovative interventions to support exercise during pregnancy.

Mothers' Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy after a High-Risk or Normal Pregnancy: A Greek Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: the objective of this longitudinal study (from pregnancy to the end of the sixth month postpartum) is to elucidate the association between maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed, and breastfeeding outcomes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted among high-risk pregnant women (including those with conditions such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and other pathological medical conditions) and normal-risk pregnant women in Greece. The high-risk group included 164 women, while the normal-risk group comprised 154 women. Data were collected using validated psychometric scales, including the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. RESULTS: Higher maternal self-efficacy was significantly associated with a longer duration and greater exclusivity of breastfeeding. A statistically significant relationship between the type of breastfeeding and the degree of breastfeeding self-efficacy was observed at multiple postpartum milestones: in the first and third 24 h postpartum, and at the end of the sixth week, third month, and sixth month postpartum. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the critical role of maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding success, influenced by individual psychological factors and broader socio-cultural contexts. Strengthening maternal self-efficacy is essential for improving breastfeeding outcomes.

The Involvement of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Other Perinatal Factors in Postpartum PTSD After Cesarean Section.

BACKGROUND: The experience of a neonate hospitalised in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an understandably traumatic experience for the parents, especially, for the mothers of neonates. This mental distress resulting from preterm birth and/or NICU hospitalisation can be understood as post-traumatic symptomatology, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 version. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the admission of a neonate to the NICU (from any reason) on the development of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of women after cesarean sections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 469 women who gave birth with cesarean section from July 2019 to June 2020 participated in this study, from the original sample of 490 women who consented to participate. Data were obtained from the researcher's socio-demographic questionnaire, the past traumatic Life Events Checklist, the perinatal stressor Criterion A, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 version. RESULTS: A percentage of 46.64% of sample experienced postpartum PTSD. Factors associated with PTSD were placenta previa type4, abruption, bleeding (ß = .07, p = .049), premature contractions (ß = .08, p = .039), heavy medical history or previous gynecological history and preeclampsia (ß = .08, p = .034), abnormal heart rate, premature rupture of membrane, premature contractions, infections (ß = .14, p = .004), life of child in danger (ß = .12, p = .025), complications involving child (ß = .15, p = .002), complications involving both (child and mother) (ß = .12, p = .011), traumatic cesarean section (ß = .041, p < .001) and prematurity (ß = .12, p = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Additional measures must be taken for mothers of children who have been admitted to the NICU with psychological support interventions and reassessment of their mental state.

The Relation between Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Cesarean Section.

BACKGROUND: The experience of a neonate hospitalized in the NICU is an understandably traumatic experience for parents, especially for the mothers of neonates. This mental distress resulting from preterm birth and/or NICU hospitalization can be understood as post-traumatic symptomatology, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 version). The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the admission of a neonate to the NICU (forany reason) on the development of postpartum PTSD in a sample of women after cesarean section. METHODS: A total of 469 women who gave birth with cesarean section from July 2019 to June 2020 participated in this study out of the original sample of 490 women who consented to participate. Data were obtained from the researcher's socio-demographic questionnaire and the post-traumatic stress checklist (PCL-5) from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DCM-5 version. RESULTS: In total,11.7% of the sample experienced postpartum PTSD. There is a strong relationship between the inclusion of a neonate to the NICU due to perinatal stress, breathing difficulties, infections, and IUGR with postpartum PTSD (37.7%) in relation to the perinatal stress Criterion A (fear for the life of the neonate), the first criterion of postpartum PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Additional measures must be taken for mothers of children who have been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with psychological support interventions and a reassessment of their mental state.

The Effect of Antenatal Education on Expectant Fathers' Attitudes toward Breastfeeding and Attachment to the Fetus.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the effect of antenatal education on fathers' attitudes toward: (i) breastfeeding and (ii) attachment to the fetus. A secondary aim is to explore the relationship of fathers' demographic and the psycho-emotional characteristics that come with breastfeeding and attachment. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study involving a group of 216 Greek expectant fathers who participated with their partners in an antenatal educational program performed by midwives in Athens, Greece (September 2020-November 2021). The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale (IIFAS) and Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS) were administered at two time points: (a) 24th-28th gestation week and (b) 34th-38th gestation week. The T-test and Univariate Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) were performed. RESULTS: The expectant fathers' scores show that breastfeeding intention/exclusivity and prenatal attachment to the fetus were higher after their participation in the antenatal education program, but the difference was not statistically insignificant. Expectant fathers with a cohabitation agreement (p = 0.026), who felt very much supported by their partners (p = 0.001) and had no relationship difficulties with their partners (p < 0.001), as well as those who reported being very happy during pregnancy (p < 0.001), showed greater paternal antenatal attachment to the fetus. CONCLUSIONS: Although the difference was statistically insignificant, antenatal education appears to have an impact on paternal breastfeeding attitudes and antenatal attachment to the fetus. Additionally, several paternal characteristics were associated with greater antenatal attachment. Future research should be directed toward the investigation of additional factors that impact antenatal-paternal attachment and breastfeeding attitudes so that effective education programs can be designed.

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and quality of life in the Athens area - Greece.

This study examines the associations of the COVID -19 pandemic stressors with mental health and quality of life (QoL) of the general population in different demographic areas of Athens. The random sample of the study consisted of 602 participants, 389 (64,6%) women and 213 (35,4%) men residing in Attica (Greece). It was conducted with telephone interviews during the first wave of the pandemic. The instruments used were: World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS - 21), Body Vigilance Scale (ΒVS), Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Category 1: contamination obsessions -decontamination compulsions) (DOCS) and a set of socio-demographic data and questions on stressors related to the COVID-19 outbreak. A range of statistical analyses were used, including descriptive statistics, examination of the questionnaires' internal consistency, calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient, as well as multiple linear regression analyses with dependent variables the WHOQOL-BREF, DASS-21, DOCS, and BVS scales. According to the results of our study: a) The greater the extent of negative emotions due to the pandemic and the imposed restrictive measures, such as worry and fear, the higher the score of depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, body vigilance and the lower the scores of the WHOQOL domains (Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships, Environment), b) the fear of being contaminated by the virus seems to have intensified depression-anxiety-stress (DASS-21), obsessive-compulsive (DOCS) and hypochondriacal (BVS) symptomatology. c) The independent variables of depression, stress and anxiety and obsessive - compulsive and hypochondriacal symptomatology were negatively associated with QoL d) The most vulnerable groups in terms of QoL and mental health indicators in our study were those with psychiatric or/and physical illness, the elderly, the unemployed during the lockdown period, those with low educational/ socioeconomic status and those living alone. In conclusion, the negative emotions associated with the COVID-19 outbreak and the imposed restrictive measures had a serious impact on mental health and QoL of the population. This and other similar findings should be taken into account by authorities and decision-makers to prevent and deal with the effects of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is still continuing and the imposition of new restrictive measures is considered. This increases the relevance of research like the one presented here.

Υoung Adults' Assertiveness in Relation to Parental Acceptance-Rejection in Greece and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This study explored the relation between assertiveness and parental behavior as perceived by young adults through parental acceptance-rejection and behavioral and psychological control. Αssertiveness is a mode of personal behavior and communication characterized by willingness to stand up for one's own needs and interests in an open and direct way. Inappropriate parenting may be associated with assertiveness difficulties and as evidence-based findings from many surveys have shown that assertive skills can be improved, it seems to be of great importance to examine the relation between assertiveness and parental rejection along with lack of support, and vice versa. In this study, assertiveness was investigated using the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule and parental behavior was studied using the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire. Psychosocial personality traits and psychological control were assessed through the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire and the Psychological Control Scale, respectively. The sample consisted of 1,117 university students from Greek universities in Athens, Greece, and in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). For all measures and their psychometric structure, factor equivalence for the two countries was verified through congruence coefficients and through confirmatory factor analyses. Findings showed that in respect to the Greek sample (but not the B&H sample), assertive-behavior skills are more common among men than women. Assertiveness for all participants is correlated with maternal psychological control and paternal acceptance and also with self-evaluation and worldview. Apparently, maternal psychological control and paternal acceptance-rejection seemed to be associated with young adults' levels of assertiveness to a greater degree than with the other parental behavior parameters assessed in the present research.

The Association of Breastfeeding Difficulties at the 6th week Postpartum with Maternal Psychological Well-being and Other Perinatal Factors: a Greek Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: The difficulties a woman faces with breastfeeding are among the factors that can lead to its early cessation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of maternal breastfeeding difficulties at the 6th week postpartum is associated either with maternal psychological well-being and the presence of a mental health disorder in the perinatal period or with other perinatal factors. METHODS: This study was conducted at a primary mental health facility in Athens (Greece), the "Day Center for the Care of the Mental Health of Women (Perinatal Mental Health Disorders)". It is a retrospective longitudinal study, examining a sample of 622 women who used the Day Center's services from January 2015 to May 2018. Statistical analyses included the Spearman rank correlation coefficients and multiple univariate analyses of variance. RESULTS: Increased scores on psychometric tools (EPDS, PHQ-9) during pregnancy or postpartum are associated with increased maternal breastfeeding difficulties at the 6th week postpartum. Other factors such as an unplanned conception (p=.016), maternal dissatisfaction with labor (p=.038) and formula feeding in the hospital (p<.001) or at the end of the 1st month postpartum (p<.001) are associated with the occurrence of breastfeeding difficulties. Also, the mothers who experienced lactation mastitis (p=.009), had sleep difficulties (p=.013), woke up fatigued (p<.001) during the first 6 weeks postpartum, and the mothers whose infants experienced colic (p=.009) were more likely to complain about breastfeeding difficulties at the 6th week postpartum. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a relationship between increased scores on maternal psychometric tools in the perinatal period and other perinatal factors with increased breastfeeding difficulties at the 6th weeks postpartum.

Do Maternal Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Perinatal Period Predict the Lactation Mastitis Occurrence? A Retrospective Longitudinal Study in Greek Women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate whether symptoms of anxiety and depression disorders in women during the perinatal period predict the occurrence of lactation mastitis. METHODS: This is a retrospective longitudinal study of 622 Greek women who were monitored from pregnancy until the first year postpartum (during the period January 2015-May 2018). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were administered at four time points: (a) 24th-28th gestation week, (b) 34th-38th gestation week, (c) 6 weeks postpartum, and (d) 12 months postpartum. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Results showed that (a) increased EPDS (p < 0.02) and PASS (p < 0.05) scores during the last period before birth, (b) increased EPDS score at 6 weeks postpartum (p < 0.02), (c) PMS symptoms (p < 0.03), (d) traumatic life events during the last year (p < 0.03), and (e) the existence of a history of psychotherapy (before pregnancy) (p = 0.050) appear to be the psycho-emotional factors that can predict the possible occurrence of lactation mastitis in a breastfeeding mother. CONCLUSIONS: The association between women's poor mental health and the occurrence of a physical health problem, such as lactation mastitis, is recognized. This study highlights the important role of early and timely detection of perinatal mental health disorders.

Infant Sleep Difficulties at the 6th Week and the 12th Month Postpartum: What Is their Relationship with Maternal Mental Health and Other Perinatal Factors?

INTRODUCTION: Infant sleep difficulties are often a challenge for new parents and may be related to maternal mood. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of reported infant sleep difficulties at the 6th week and at the 12th month postpartum is associated with maternal psychological well-being and the presence of a mental health disorder in the perinatal period or with other perinatal factors. METHODS: It is a retrospective longitudinal study, examining a sample of 622 women who attended a 12-month innovative psychosocial intervention. Data were obtained through the EPDS and PHQ-9 psychometric tools, and the completion of a health history. Statistical analyses included Spearman rank correlation coefficients and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Reported infant sleep difficulties at the 6th week postpartum were associated with a) increased maternal scores on psychometric tools (EPDS and PHQ-9) during pregnancy and at the 6th week postpartum, b) the presence of pathological maternal mental health symptoms in the perinatal period (p =.034), c) high maternal educational level (p <.001), and d) reported maternal breastfeeding difficulties at the 6th week postpartum (p =.031). Reported infant sleep difficulties at the 12th month postpartum were associated with a) increased maternal scores on the EPDS at the 6th week after birth (p =.030), and at the 6th (p =.031) and the 12th month (p =.006) postpartum, b) reported infant sleep difficulties (p <.001) and frequent infant awakenings in the puperperium (p <.001), d) maternal fatigue at the 6th week postpartum (p <.001), e) infant gastro-esophageal reflux problems (p <.001), and f) high maternal educational level (p =.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a positive relationship between infant sleep difficulties at the 6th week and at the 12th months postpartum, with poor maternal mental health in the perinatal period.

Women's Mental Health as a Factor Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Duration: Data from a Longitudinal Study in Greece.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration, and maternal psychological well-being in the perinatal period. METHODS: A longitudinal study involving a retrospective follow-up of a group of 1080 women from pregnancy to the 1st year postpartum, who gave birth during the 5-year period between January 2014 and January 2019 in Athens, Greece, was designed. Women's history and two psychometric tools-the Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) administered at 5-time points-were used for data collection. Logistic regression analysis and a series of multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) tests were performed. RESULTS: The chance for exclusive breastfeeding (giving only breast milk) appeared to decrease (a) with an increase of the scores for psychometric tools antenatally (PHQ-9, p = 0.030) or at the 6th week postpartum (EPDS, p < 0.001 and PHQ-9, p < 0.001), (b) with an increase in the number of psychotherapeutic sessions needed antenatally (p = 0.030), and (c) when the initiation of psychotherapy was necessary postpartum (p = 0.002). Additionally, a shorter duration of any breastfeeding (with or without formula or other types of food/drink) seems to be associated with (a) the occurrence of pathological mental health symptoms (p = 0.029), (b) increased PHQ-9 scores antenatally (p = 0.018), (c) increased EPDS scores at the 6th week (p = 0.004) and the 12th month postpartum (p = 0.031), (d) the initiation of psychotherapy postpartum (p = 0.040), and e) the need for more than 13 psychotherapeutic sessions (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a negative relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration, and poor maternal mental health in the perinatal period.

Association between Breastfeeding Duration and Long-Term Midwifery-Led Support and Psychosocial Support: Outcomes from a Greek Non-Randomized Controlled Perinatal Health Intervention.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates if a non-randomized controlled perinatal health intervention which offers (a) long-term midwife-led breastfeeding support and (b) psychosocial support of women, is associated with the initiation, exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding. METHODS: A sample of 1080 women who attended a 12-month intervention before and after childbirth, during a five-year period (January 2014-January 2019) in a primary mental health care setting in Greece, was examined. Multiple analyses of variance and logistic regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The vast majority of women (96.3%) initiated either exclusive breastfeeding (only breast milk) (70.7%) or any breastfeeding (with or without formula or other type of food/drink) (25.6%). At the end of the 6th month postpartum, almost half of the women (44.3%) breastfed exclusively. A greater (quantitatively) midwifery-led support to mothers seemed to correlate with increased chance of exclusive breastfeeding at the end of the 6th month postpartum (p = 0.034), and with longer any breastfeeding duration (p = 0.015). The absence of pathological mental health symptoms and of need for receiving long-term psychotherapy were associated with the longer duration of any breastfeeding (p = 0.029 and p = 0.013 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous long-term midwife-led education and support, and maternal mental well-being are associated with increased exclusive and any breastfeeding duration.