Delivery-Dependent Shift in Oxytocin-Responsive Cell Population in the Central Amygdala of the Female Rat.

INTRODUCTION: Despite its recent reputation as prosocial neurohormone, the most important physiological role of oxytocin (OT) is stimulating uterine contractions. Though it is well known that plasma OT concentrations change drastically during delivery, it remains unexplored whether and how OT receptors in the maternal brain are activated. We examined whether the responses of cells in the central amygdala (CeA), an OT receptor-rich limbic site involved in pain and fear memory regulation, to exogenously applied OT analogue, Thr-Gly-OT (TGOT), vary depending on delivery. METHODS: Intracellular Ca2+ dynamics of the CeA cells were visualized in brain slices from female rats at virgin (VG), during pregnancy term (PT) days 16-21, within 24 h after delivery (G0), and within 1-3 days after delivery (G3). The Ca2+ responses to 1 µM TGOT, 20 mM KCl (high K), and 300 µM ADP were compared. RESULTS: We found that fraction of cells responding to TGOT, high K, and ADP differed significantly between the four delivery-associated terms. In particular, the fraction of cells responding to TGOT (TGOT responders) significantly increased from VG and PT at G0 and G3. Furthermore, the significant positive correlation between TGOT and high K response in TGOT and high K responders was reduced at G0, while that between TGOT and ADP responses in TGOT and ADP responders was increased at G0. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the responses of CeA cells to an OT receptor agonist markedly change around delivery, which might play a role in controlling the labor-related pain and post-delivery emotional complications.

Distinct trajectories of perinatal depression in Chinese women: application of latent growth mixture modelling.

BACKGROUND: Current research on perinatal depression rarely pays attention to the continuity and volatility of depression symptoms over time, which is very important for the early prediction and prognostic evaluation of perinatal depression. This study investigated the trajectories of perinatal depression symptoms and aimed to explore the factors related to these trajectories. METHODS: The study recruited 550 women during late pregnancy (32 ± 4 weeks of gestation) and followed them up 1 and 6 weeks postpartum. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Latent growth mixture modelling (LGMM) was used to identify trajectories of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. RESULTS: Two trajectories of perinatal depressive symptoms were identified: "decreasing" (n = 524, 95.3%) and "increasing" (n = 26, 4.7%). History of smoking, alcohol use and gestational hypertension increased the chance of belonging to the increasing trajectories, and a high level of social support was a protective factor for maintaining a decreasing trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified two trajectories of perinatal depression and the factors associated with each trajectory. Paying attention to these factors and providing necessary psychological support services during pregnancy would effectively reduce the incidence of perinatal depression and improve patient prognosis.

Mental health status of pregnant and breastfeeding women during the COVID-19 pandemic-A multinational cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on perinatal mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its potential determinants is limited. Therefore, this multinational study aimed to assess the mental health status of pregnant and breastfeeding women during the pandemic, and to explore potential associations between depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress and women's sociodemographic, health, and reproductive characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based study was performed in Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK between 16 June and 14 July 2020. Pregnant and breastfeeding women up to 3 months postpartum who were older than 18 years of age were eligible. The online, anonymous survey was promoted through social media and hospital websites. The Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder seven-item scale (GAD-7), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to assess mental health status. Regression model analysis was used to identify factors associated with poor mental health status. RESULTS: In total, 9041 women participated (including 3907 pregnant and 5134 breastfeeding women). The prevalence of major depressive symptoms (EDS ≥ 13) was 15% in the pregnancy cohort and and 13% the breastfeeding cohort. Moderate to severe generalized anxiety symptoms (GAD ≥ 10) were found among 11% and 10% of the pregnant and breastfeeding women. The mean (±SD) PSS scores for pregnant and breastfeeding women were 14.1 ± 6.6 and 13.7 ± 6.6, respectively. Risk factors associated with poor mental health included having a chronic mental illness, a chronic somatic illness in the postpartum period, smoking, having an unplanned pregnancy, professional status, and living in the UK or Ireland. CONCLUSIONS: This multinational study found high levels of depressive symptoms and generalized anxiety among pregnant and breastfeeding women during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study findings underline the importance of monitoring perinatal mental health during pandemics and other societal crises to safeguard maternal and infant mental health.

Maternal solitude before the new guidelines in SARS-COV-2 times: a Brazilian cutting / Soledad materna ante las nuevas directrices en tiempos del SARS-COV-2: un corte brasileño / A solidão materna diante das novas orientações em tempos de SARS-COV-2: um recorte brasileiro

ABSTRACT Aim To reflect on the lonely experience of women during the pregnancy-puerperal cycle in times of pandemic by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Method Theoretical-reflective study on the new Brazilian guidelines for care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum in times of Covid-19 and its influence on the exacerbation of maternal loneliness. The discussion about the transformations of women in this period refers to Maldonado's studies. Results Motherhood is a lonely process for women. The new technical norms that are in force bring important changes in the assistance to this cycle, mainly with regard to the importance of social distance, which intensifies the feeling of loneliness and helplessness. Final considerations This reflection can guide health professionals, especially the work of nurses in the scope of obstetrics, so that during the assistance to women in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, they pay attention to the subtlety of feelings of loneliness that can interfere with maternal well-being fetal.

RESUMEN Objetivo Reflexionar sobre la experiencia solitaria de las mujeres durante el ciclo embarazo-puerperal en tiempos de pandemia por el virus SARS-CoV-2. Método Estudio teórico-reflexivo sobre las nuevas pautas brasileñas para el cuidado de las mujeres durante el embarazo, el parto y el posparto en tiempos de Covid-19 y su influencia en la exacerbación de la soledad materna. La discusión sobre las transformaciones de las mujeres en este período se refiere a los estudios de Maldonado. Resultados La maternidad es un proceso solitario para las mujeres. Las nuevas normas técnicas vigentes traen cambios importantes en la asistencia a este ciclo, principalmente con respecto a la importancia de la distancia social, que intensifica el sentimiento de soledad e impotencia. Consideraciones finales Esta reflexión puede orientar a los profesionales de la salud, especialmente la labor del enfermero en el ámbito de la obstetricia, para que durante la asistencia a la mujer en el ciclo embarazo-puerperal, preste atención a la sutileza de los sentimientos de soledad que pueden interferir con el bienestar materno fetal.

RESUMO Objetivo Refletir acerca da vivência solitária da mulher durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal em tempos de pandemia pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2. Método Estudo teórico-reflexivo sobre as novas diretrizes brasileiras para atendimento às mulheres na gestação, parto e pós-parto em tempos de COVID-19 e sua influência na exacerbação da solidão materna. A discussão acerca das transformações da mulher nesse período remete aos estudos de Maldonado. Resultados A maternidade é um processo solitário para as mulheres. As novas normas técnicas que estão vigorando trazem importantes mudanças na assistência a esse ciclo, principalmente no que tange a importância do distanciamento social, que intensifica o sentimento de solidão e desamparo. Considerações finais Esta reflexão pode nortear os profissionais de saúde, sobretudo enfermeiras do âmbito da obstetrícia, para que durante a assistência à mulher no ciclo gravídico-puerperal atentem-se para as sutilezas de sentimentos de solidão que podem interferir no bem-estar materno-fetal.

Vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period.

Depression affects 1 in 7 women during the perinatal period. Women with vitamin D deficiency may be at an increased risk for depression. This study investigated the relationship between maternal and cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and maternal depressive symptoms over the perinatal period. Study objectives were to examine variations and relationships between maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels and maternal depressive symptoms over the perinatal period. At a large medical center in southern California, pregnant women (N = 126) were recruited for this longitudinal cohort study. Depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen, EPDS) and vitamin D status (25OHD) were measured at three time points in the perinatal period: time 1 (T1; N = 125) EPDS and 25OHD were collected in early pregnancy; time 2 (T2; N = 96) EPDS was conducted in the third trimester with blood collected at time of delivery; and time 3 (T3; N = 88) was collected postpartum. A significant inverse relationship between vitamin D status and depressive symptoms was observed between 25OHD and EPDS scores at all time points in this sample (T1 = - 0.18, P = 0.024; T2 = - 0.27, P = 0.009; T3 = - 0.22, P = 0.019). This association remained after controlling for confounders. Low cord blood 25OHD levels were inversely associated with higher EPDS scores in the third trimester (r = - 0.22, P = 0.02). Clinicians may want to consider screening women diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency for depression and vice versa. Vitamin D may represent an important biomarker for pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with depression. Further studies examining underlying mechanisms and supplementation are needed.

[Mental disorders in women: Natural course during premenstrual phases, peripartum period and perimenopause]. / Psychische Störungen in den reproduktiven Phasen der Frau: Häufigkeiten, Verlauf und Besonderheiten.

Epidemiological studies indicate sex-specific differences in prevalence rates and the natural course of mental disorders. Affective, anxiety, somatoform and eating disorders are more prevalent in women than men, whereas substance use disorders occur more commonly in men, and some disorders are equally distributed in both sexes (e. g. psychotic disorders). The aim of this review is to depict the natural course of mental disorders during the reproductive stages (premenstrual phases, peripartum period, perimenopause) in women, including also neuroendocrine features associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, puerperium and perimenopause. Recommendations for sex-specific diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are provided.

Caracterização da assistência ao parto em adolescentes primigestas no município de cuiabá-mt / Caracterización de la atención al parto en adolescentes primigestas en el municipio de cuiabá-mt / Characterization of pregnancy labor assistance of primigravida adolescents in the city of cuiabá-mt

RESUMO O objetivo foi analisar a assistência ao parto de adolescentes primigestas no contexto do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no município de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. Estudo transversal, descritivo e documental com amostragem aleatória simples composta por 164 prontuários de puérperas adolescentes coletados por meio de ficha estruturada durante os meses de dezembro de 2012 a maio de 2013. Foi realizada análise descritiva simples dos dados. Os resultados indicaram que o parto cesáreo apresentou taxa de 37,2%, a amniotomia foi adotada em 62,1%, a ocitocina em 53,4% e a episiotomia em 82,4%. A desproporção céfalo-pélvica representou 27,9% das indicações de cesariana e dentre as complicações maternas, a hemorragia destacou-se em ambos os tipos de parto. Conclui-se a existência de uma forte influência do modelo tecnicista sobre os resultados maternos na assistência obstétrica de adolescentes primigestas e que o fato do desconhecimento atrelado à vulnerabilidade deste grupo populacional evidencia a soberania do profissional em relação às decisões obstétricas.

RESUMEN El objetivo ha sido analizar la atención al parto de adolescentes primigestas en el contexto del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en el municipio de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. Estudio transversal, descriptivo y documental con muestreo aleatorio simple compuesto de 164 registros médicos de puérperas adolescentes recogidos a través del formulario estructurado durante los meses de diciembre de 2012 hasta mayo de 2013. Fue realizado el análisis descriptivo simple de los datos. Los resultados indicaron que el parto por cesárea ha presentado tasa de 37,2%, la amniotomía fue adoptada en 62,1%, la oxitocina en 53,4% y la episiotomía en 82,4%. La desproporción cefalopélvica ha representado 27,9% de las indicaciones de la cesárea y entre las complicaciones maternas, la hemorragia se ha destacado en ambos tipos de parto. Se concluye que existe una fuerte influencia del modelo técnico sobre los resultados maternos en la atención obstétrica a las adolescentes primigestas y que el hecho del desconocimiento relacionado a la vulnerabilidad de este grupo poblacional evidencia la soberanía del profesional en relación a las decisiones obstétricas.

ABSTRACT It aimed to analyze labor assistance for primigravida adolescents in the context of the Unified Health System (SUS) in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. Cross-sectional, descriptive and documental study with a random sample composed of 164 medical records of postpartum adolescent collected through structured file during the months of December 2012 to May 2013. Data were analyzed through simple descriptive analysis. The results indicated that cesarean section showed rate of 37.2%, amniotomy was adopted in 62.1%, oxytocin 53.4% and 82.4% in the episiotomy. Cephalopelvic disproportion represented 27.9% of cesarean section indications and among maternal complications, hemorrhage stood out in both types of delivery. It is concluded that there is a strong influence of the technicist model on maternal outcomes in obstetric care to pregnant adolescents and that the lack of knowledge linked to the vulnerability of this group shows the professional sovereignty in relation to obstetric decisions.

Peripartum neuroactive steroid and γ-aminobutyric acid profiles in women at-risk for postpartum depression.

Neuroactive steroids (NAS) are allosteric modulators of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. NAS and GABA are implicated in depression. The peripartum period involves physiologic changes in NAS which may be associated with peripartum depression and anxiety. We measured peripartum plasma NAS and GABA in healthy comparison subjects (HCS) and those at-risk for postpartum depression (AR-PPD) due to current mild depressive or anxiety symptoms or a history of depression. We evaluated 56 peripartum medication-free subjects. We measured symptoms with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S). Plasma NAS and GABA were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We examined the associations between longitudinal changes in NAS, GABA and depressive and anxiety symptoms using generalized estimating equation methods. Peripartum GABA concentration was 1.9±0.7ng/mL (p=0.004) lower and progesterone and pregnanolone were 15.8±7.5 (p=0.04) and 1.5±0.7ng/mL (p=0.03) higher in AR-PPD versus HCS, respectively. HAM-D17 was negatively associated with GABA (ß=-0.14±0.05, p=0.01) and positively associated with pregnanolone (ß=0.16±0.06, p=0.01). STAI-S was positively associated with pregnanolone (ß=0.11±0.04, p=0.004), allopregnanolone (ß=0.13±0.05, p=0.006) and pregnenolone (ß=0.02±0.01, p=0.04). HAM-A was negatively associated with GABA (ß=-0.12±0.04, p=0.004) and positively associated with pregnanolone (ß=0.11±0.05, p=0.05). Altered peripartum NAS and GABA profiles in AR-PPD women suggest that their interaction may play an important role in the pathophysiology of peripartum depression and anxiety.

Prenatal and Postpartum Evening Salivary Cortisol Levels in Association with Peripartum Depressive Symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The biology of peripartum depression remains unclear, with altered stress and the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis response having been implicated in its pathophysiology. METHODS: The current study was undertaken as a part of the BASIC project (Biology, Affect, Stress, Imaging, Cognition), a population-based longitudinal study of psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and the postpartum period in Uppsala County, Sweden, in order to assess the association between evening salivary cortisol levels and depressive symptoms in the peripartum period. Three hundred and sixty-five pregnant women from the BASIC cohort were recruited at pregnancy week 18 and instructed to complete a Swedish validated version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at the 36th week of pregnancy as well as the sixth week after delivery. At both times, they were also asked to provide evening salivary samples for cortisol analysis. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature is also provided. RESULTS: Women with postpartum EPDS score ≥ 10 had higher salivary evening cortisol at six weeks postpartum compared to healthy controls (median cortisol 1.19 vs 0.89 nmol/L). A logistic regression model showed a positive association between cortisol levels and depressive symptoms postpartum (OR = 4.1; 95% CI 1.7-9.7). This association remained significant even after controlling for history of depression, use of tobacco, partner support, breastfeeding, stressful life events, and sleep problems, as possible confounders (aOR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.5-14.1). Additionally, women with postpartum depressive symptoms had higher postpartum cortisol levels compared to both women with depressive symptoms antenatally and controls (p = 0.019 and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Women with depressive symptoms postpartum had higher postpartum cortisol levels, indicating an altered response of the HPA-axis in postpartum depression.

Perinatal depression: an update and overview.

Over the last 3 years there have been notable developments in the screening and treatment of perinatal depression. Most importantly, the DSM-V has made only minor changes in the diagnostic criteria for perinatal depression as compared to the DSM-IV; "perinatal," as opposed to "postpartum," is a specifier for depression with a requirement that the depression onset occurs during pregnancy or the first 4 weeks postpartum. Advances in the treatment of perinatal depression have been made over the last 3 years, including both prevention and acute interventions. Additional support has emerged confirming the primary risk factors for perinatal depression: a personal or family history, low SES and poor interpersonal support. There is general agreement that universal screening be conducted for all perinatal women, by both the woman's obstetrician and the baby's pediatrician.

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies for perinatal depression.

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies are increasingly sought out by people with psychiatric disorders. In this chapter, we review the evidence for several commonly used CAM therapies (i.e. omega-3 fatty acids, folate, S-adenosyl-methionine, St John's Wort, bright light therapy, exercise, massage, and acupuncture) in the treatment of perinatal depression. A number of these treatments may be reasonable to consider for women during pregnancy or postpartum, but the safety and efficacy of these relative to standard treatments must still be systematically determined. Evidence-based use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies treatments for perinatal depression is discussed. Adequately powered systematic studies are necessary to determine the role of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in the treatment of perinatal depression.

Screening for perinatal depression.

Perinatal depression is prevalent, under-diagnosed and can have serious long-term effects on the wellbeing of women, their partners and infants. In the absence of active identification strategies, most women with perinatal depression will neither seek nor receive help. To enable early detection and timely intervention, universal screening is coming to be seen as best practice in many settings. Although the strength of recommendations and the preferred methods of identification vary in different countries (e.g. the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, brief case-finding questions), appropriate training for health professionals in wider psychosocial assessment is essential to maximise usefulness while minimising potential harms. Clear pathways of systematic follow up of all positive screening results with a diagnostic procedure and access to effective treatment are centrally important both for the clinical effectiveness of screening and for health system costs. It is also necessary to further build on the emerging evidence base for the clinical effectiveness of screening.

Outcomes from implementing systematic antepartum depression screening in obstetrics.

This study was developed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing systematic depression screening in a large obstetric practice and to evaluate the degree that detection and referral led to linkage with behavioral healthcare. Depression screening was conducted using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, administered at the initial pregnancy care appointment. Patients at or above a predetermined score of 14 were advised to seek further behavioral health assessment through the patient's behavioral healthcare coverage. Within 4 weeks of screening, those referred were contacted by telephone, by clinic staff, to determine whether they had pursued behavioral healthcare as recommended. Limited available data for newly established postdelivery screening were similarly evaluated. All 2,199 newly presenting pregnant women who were seen in our obstetric clinics from September 2008 to May 2009 were screened for depression, and 102 (4.6%) scored at or above an EPDS of 14. Follow-up calls revealed that none had pursued further behavioral health assessments. Of these 2,199, screening and follow-up data were available for 569 women at their 6-week postdelivery visit. Of these, 28 (4.9%) were above EPDS of 14, and 5 (17.9%) reported pursuit of further behavioral healthcare following screening and referral. Peripartum depression can be addressed with systematic screening, and the electronic medical record can readily be used to monitor results. Detection and referral at the beginning of pregnancy did not lead to intended linkage with behavioral healthcare, but detection and referral postdelivery had a modest influence. Barriers to pursuing behavioral healthcare need to be discovered and addressed.

Women's experience of discrimination in Australian perinatal care: the double disadvantage of social adversity and unequal care.

BACKGROUND: Discrimination in women's health care, particularly perinatal care, has received minimal attention. The aim of this study is to describe women's experience of discrimination in different models of maternity care and to examine the relationship between maternal social characteristics and perceived discrimination in perinatal care. METHODS: A population-based postal survey was mailed 6 months postpartum to all women who gave birth in two Australian states in September and October 2007. Perceived discrimination was assessed using a five-item measure designed to elicit information about experiences of unequal treatment by health professionals. RESULTS: A total of 4,366 eligible women completed the survey. Women attending public models of maternity care were significantly more likely to report perceived discrimination compared with women attending a private obstetrician (30.7% vs 19.7%, OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.5-2.1). Compared with women reporting no stressful life events or social health issues in pregnancy, those reporting three or more stressful life events or social health issues had a twofold increase in adjusted odds of perceived discrimination (41.1% vs 20.4%, adj OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.8-2.8). Young women (< 25 yr) and women who were smoking in pregnancy were also at increased risk of experiencing perceived discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination is an unexplored factor in how women experience perinatal care. Developing approaches to perinatal care that incorporate the capacity to respond to the needs of vulnerable women and families requires far-reaching changes to the organization and provision of care.