Anxiety disorders in pregnancy

The estrous cycle modulates early-life adversity effects on mouse avoidance behavior through progesterone signaling

Early-life adversity (ELA) increases the likelihood of neuropsychiatric diagnoses, which are more prevalent in women than men. Since changes in reproductive hormone levels can also increase the probability of anxiety disorders in women, we examined the effects of ELA on adult female mice across the estrous cycle. We found that during diestrus, when progesterone levels are relatively high, ELA mice exhibit increased avoidance behavior and increased theta oscillation power in the ventral hippocampus (vHIP). We also found that diestrus ELA mice had higher levels of progesterone and lower levels of allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid metabolite of progesterone, in the vHIP compared with control-reared mice. Progesterone receptor antagonism normalized avoidance behavior in ELA mice, while treatment with a negative allosteric modulator of allopregnanolone promoted avoidance behavior in control mice. These results suggest that altered vHIP progesterone and allopregnanolone signaling during diestrus increases avoidance behavior in ELA mice.

RAPID-2 study protocol: a cluster randomised feasibility trial of a midwife facilitated intervention for pregnant women with symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety

INTRODUCTION

Many women experience symptoms during pregnancy. Elevated and prolonged anxiety can have negative effects on the woman and baby. The RAPID intervention aims to provide suitable, timely support for women with mild-moderate anxiety. The RAPID intervention is based on social support, relational continuity, psychological and relaxation response theory, and comprises midwife facilitated group discussions, one-to-one support and directed self-help materials.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Four National Health Service Trusts in England that provide maternity care will be cluster randomised to the RAPID intervention plus usual care or usual care. At each intervention site, two midwives and two maternity support workers will facilitate the intervention over a 12-week period. Eligibility includes nulliparous women at 16-20 weeks of pregnancy (n=50) with self-report symptoms of mild-moderate anxiety. Community midwives will signpost women to the study. The aim of the study is to establish the feasibility of conducting a definitive trial to examine the effectiveness of the RAPID intervention in addition to usual care. The objectives are to assess recruitment and completion rates, and a qualitative assessment of women's and facilitators' experiences of participation. An estimation of change in the seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale will inform the sample size for a definitive cluster trial.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was given by East Midlands-Derby Research Ethics Committee 14 March 2022 (REC Reference: 22/EM/0018). Findings will be made available through publication in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and to participants. A final report will be submitted to HEE/NIHR ICA awards committee for publication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN12834758.

Psychoeducation for psychological issues and birth preparedness in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Psychological issues usually accompany the pregnancy of first-time mothers, and psychoeducational interventions might be effective in addressing these concerns and preparing first-time mothers for childbirth and the postnatal period.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify, analyze, and synthesize the components and determine the effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions that are used for managing psychological issues and enhancing birth preparedness among primigravid women or couples in low- and middle-income countries.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic search of 12 databases (APA PsycINFO, EmCare, Embase, MEDLINE(R), Ovid Nursing, British Nursing Index, Health & Medical Collection, ProQuest, CINAHL, Cochrane, Hinari, and PubMed) was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 1946 and October 2021. The quality of the included studies was appraised by the Joanna and Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool, and a narrative synthesis was performed to analyze data extracted from included articles. The systematic review protocol is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42021237896).

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 8658 articles. Of note, 16 articles, including 7 randomized controlled trials and 9 nonrandomized trials, met the inclusion criteria and were selected and reviewed for quality. In addition, 31 outcomes were measured in the studies, including psychological outcomes, birth preparedness outcomes, and other outcomes. The design of the interventions included antenatal education that was delivered through lectures, role plays, trainings, and antenatal counseling. All the psychoeducational interventions had a significant effect (P<.05; Cohen's d or Hedges' g=0.2-1.9) on certain psychological outcomes, including childbirth attitude, fear of childbirth, depression, fear, and anxiety, and birth preparedness outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although first-time mothers experience a range of psychological issues during pregnancy, psychoeducational interventions were beneficial in addressing their psychological concerns. It would seem that these interventions are less expensive and could be easily implemented in low- and middle-income countries. However, rigorous research, such as randomized controlled trials, is hereby warranted to standardize the interventions and outcome assessment tools.

Benzodiazepine Concentrations in the Breast Milk and Plasma of Nursing Mothers: Estimation of Relative Infant Dose

Objective: Benzodiazepines are common therapies for mental illness and insomnia, and are used during pregnancy and lactation. Although benzodiazepines have been shown to be transferred into breast milk, the amount transferred is small and compatible with breastfeeding. However, information is not available for all drugs. Therefore, we aimed to determine the milk to plasma (M/P) ratio and relative infant dose (RID), which are used as indicators of drug transfer to breast milk, to determine the safety of such drugs for lactating women and breastfeeding infants. Methods: The study comprised of 11 pregnant women who visited the obstetrics department of Hokkaido University Hospital (approval number: 017-0131) and Tenshi Hospital (approval number: 103) for childbirth. The samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the M/P ratio and RID were calculated. The condition of the mother and baby at 1 month after delivery was determined from the clinical information. The target benzodiazepines were alprazolam, brotizolam, clonazepam, clotiazepam, etizolam, ethyl loflazepate, flunitrazepam, and lorazepam. Results: For all drugs, the M/P ratios were <1 and remained constant over time. For drugs other than ethyl loflazepate, the RID values were <10%, which are considered safe; however, even with ethyl loflazepate, it was only slightly >10%. No abnormalities were found in breastfeeding infants whose mothers were receiving these medications. Conclusions: The RID results of this study suggest that drug exposure through breast milk is small; thus, maternal drug treatment and breastfeeding are compatible.

The impact of the emergence of COVID-19 on women's prenatal genetic testing decisions

Objective

We conducted a study to examine the impact of COVID on patients' access and utilization of prenatal genetic screens and diagnostic tests at the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.

Methods

We conducted telephone interviews with 40 patients to examine how the pandemic affected prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing decisions during the initial months of the pandemic in the United States. An interview guide queried experiences with the ability to access information about prenatal genetic testing options and to utilize the tests when desired. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded using NVivo 12. Analysis was conducted using Grounded Theory.

Results

The pandemic did not alter most participants' decisions to undergo prenatal genetic testing. Yet, it did impact how participants viewed the risks and benefits of testing and timing of testing. There was heightened anxiety among those who underwent testing, stemming from the risk of viral exposure and the fear of being alone if pregnancy loss or fetal abnormality was identified at the time of an ultrasound‐based procedure.

Conclusion

The pandemic may impact patients' access and utilization of prenatal genetic tests. More research is needed to determine how best to meet pregnant patients' decision‐making needs during this time.

What is already known about this topic?

Prenatal genetic screens and diagnostic tests are a core component to the delivery of high‐quality, evidence‐based prenatal care.

It is critical that pregnant patients have the information and resources to make an informed decision about a growing array of prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing options.

In the decision‐making process, pregnant patients commonly weigh the risks and benefits of gaining genetic information about the fetus with the risks and benefits of the available screens and diagnostic tests.

What does this study add?

The pandemic has led to significant changes in healthcare delivery and insurance benefits for prenatal genetic testing, raising key questions about how pregnant patient are weighing the risks and benefits of the available prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing options against the risks of COVID exposure by presenting to a healthcare facility for testing.

COVID‐19 appears to impact how women view the utility of prenatal genetic testing, including how they weigh the risk and benefits of prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing in addition to when in the pregnancy they may elect to undergo testing.

The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in increased levels of concern and anxiety that may be encountered by pregnant women in the testing process, raising awareness of the need for additional resources to support patients' decision‐making during the pandemic.

The Role of Hormonal and Reproductive Status in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Women

Exposure therapy, a key treatment for anxiety disorders, can be modelled in the laboratory using Pavlovian fear extinction. Understanding the hormonal and neurobiological mechanisms underlying fear extinction in females, who are twice more likely than males to present with anxiety disorders, may aid in optimising exposure therapy outcomes in this population. This chapter will begin by discussing the role of the sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone, in fear extinction in females. We will also propose potential mechanisms by which these hormones may modulate fear extinction. The second half of this chapter will discuss the long-term hormonal, neurological and behavioural changes that arise from pregnancy and motherhood and how these changes may alter the features of fear extinction in females. Finally, we will discuss implications of this research for the treatment of anxiety disorders in women with and without prior reproductive experience.

Dyadic Adjustment and Prenatal Parental Depression: A Study with Expectant Mothers and Fathers

Introduction: This paper evaluated the relationships between the dyadic adjustment of expectant parents and prenatal maternal and paternal depression.

Method: Participants were 98 couples who were expectant parents in the third trimester of pregnancy. Most couples (97%) were primiparous. Participants' prenatal depression, psychiatric symptomatology, perinatal affectivity, and dyadic adjustment were evaluated.

Results: Hierarchical regression and relative weight analyses showed the importance of various marital adjustment dimensions in predicting prenatal maternal and paternal depression. In particular, the marital relationship variables of dyadic consensus and affective expression of both partners was related to prenatal depression in expectant mothers, with the relationship even stronger in expectant fathers. The results suggested that for both partners, perception of marital relationship quality contributes to the development of depressive symptoms in new mothers and fathers to a greater degree than the single perception of one partner.

Discussion: Clinically, the results suggest that clinicians should focus on partner relationships in the perinatal period. The provision of psychological interventions to improve a couple's functioning may help to protect new parents against depressive symptomatology.

Prevalence, onset and course of anxiety disorders during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders during pregnancy are associated with various adverse outcomes. Previous reviews of anxiety disorders during pregnancy have methodological limitations and were conducted without a meta-analysis. The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published research on the prevalence, onset and course of all anxiety disorders during pregnancy plus obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed on a wide range of databases. A random effects model was used for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies were included. Prevalence rates of anxiety disorders during pregnancy varied considerably. The pooled prevalence rate of each disorder during pregnancy was 3%, except for specific phobia, where it was 6%. Between 13% and 39% of pregnant OCD women had the onset of OCD during pregnancy, and this occurred mainly in the 2nd trimester. The onset of panic disorder (PD) was more common in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy.

LIMITATIONS

Different designs of the included studies, as well as different assessment tools and assessment times during pregnancy and the paucity of studies of the onset and course, preclude definitive conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety disorders are common during pregnancy. Unlike prevalence rates of other anxiety disorders during pregnancy, prevalence rates of PD and OCD during pregnancy were higher than their lifetime prevalence rates in women in the general population. The onset of OCD during pregnancy is not rare and the course of PD and OCD during pregnancy is highly variable. These findings suggest that pregnancy may be a specific risk factor for the occurrence and/or exacerbation of PD and OCD and underscore the importance of their early diagnosis and management.

Maternal age as a main factor influencing prenatal distress in Indonesian Primigravida

OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy is a maturation crisis, especially for primigravida, which affects both mother and fetus well-being. This study aimed to identify prenatal distress in primigravida and its relationship with maternal age, educational background, income level, gestational age, social support, previous traumatic experiences, satisfaction with paternal support, and pregnancy planning.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 214 primigravidas in Serang City, Banten Province, Indonesia. Translated instruments, such as a socio-demographic questionnaire, PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS), the Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy Instrument (LMUP), Marital Adjustment Test (MAT), and Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ), were applied.

RESULTS

The results revealed that most respondents experienced severe distress (55.6%). Maternal age is the most dominant factor influencing prenatal distress in primigravida (OR=10.31; 95% CI: 4.7-22.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The younger the mother, the greater the extent of the psychosocial problems. A higher maternal age is assumed to be associated with greater adaptation to the changes occurring during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should be aware that pregnancy can lead to distress, especially in young primigravidas. Programs to maintain mental health during pregnancy should be implemented.

Investigation of the effect of training attachment behaviors to pregnant mothers on some physical indicators of their infants from birth to three months based on the separation of male and female infants

BACKGROUND

Maternal attachment to the fetus during pregnancy improves infant's growth and development and is an important criterion for public health. The aim is to investigate the effect of training attachment behaviors to pregnant women on some growth health indicators of infants.

METHODS

This is a clinical trial with convenience sampling which was conducted on 190 pregnant women in Hafez Hospital in Shiraz who randomly classified into intervention and control groups. For the intervention group, 6 sessions of 90-min classes were held. After delivery, both groups were compared in terms of physical growth (weight, height, head circumference) at birth, one and three months after birth. The data were analyzed using repeated Measurement.

RESULTS

Weight increase in female infants in the intervention group compared to the control group was significant at birth (p = 0.016), one month (p = 0.010) and three months after birth (p = 0.014). Height increase in female infants in the intervention group compared to the control group was significant at birth (p = 0.025), one month (p < 0.001) and three months after birth (p = 0.009). Male gender was not statistically significant in any age group but it increased the size of the head circumference of three-month-old infants.

CONCLUSION

Training of attachment skills to mothers improves height and weight of female infants in three steps. The average index for boys in the intervention group was higher than that of control group, but it was not significant.

Perinatal anxiety: approach to diagnosis and management in the obstetric setting

Anxiety is common in women during the perinatal period, manifests with various symptoms and severity, and is associated with significant maternal morbidity and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Given the intimate relationship and frequency of contact, the obstetric provider is positioned optimally to create a therapeutic alliance and to treat perinatal anxiety. Time constraints, absence of randomized controlled trials, mixed quality of data, and concern for potential adverse reproductive outcomes all limit the clinician's ability to initiate informed risk-benefit discussions. Clear understanding of the role of the obstetric provider in the identification, stabilization, and initiation of medication and/or referral to psychotherapy for women with perinatal anxiety disorders is critical to maternal and neonatal wellbeing. Informed by our clinical practice as perinatal psychiatric providers, we have provided a concise summary of current research on the approach to the treatment of perinatal anxiety disorders in the obstetric setting that includes psychotherapy and supportive interventions, primary and adjuvant psychiatric medication, and general prescribing pearls. Medications that we examined include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics, antihistamines, quetiapine, buspirone, propranolol, and melatonin. Further research into management of perinatal anxiety, particularly psychopharmacologic management, is warranted.

Who is distressed? A comparison of psychosocial stress in pregnancy across seven ethnicities

BACKGROUND

Calgary, Alberta has the fourth highest immigrant population in Canada and ethnic minorities comprise 28 % of its total population. Previous studies have found correlations between minority status and poor pregnancy outcomes. One explanation for this phenomenon is that minority status increases the levels of stress experienced during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to identify specific types of maternal psychosocial stress experienced by women of an ethnic minority (Asian, Arab, Other Asian, African, First Nations and Latin American).

METHODS

A secondary analysis of variables that may contribute to maternal psychosocial stress was conducted using data from the All Our Babies prospective pregnancy cohort (N = 3,552) where questionnaires were completed at < 24 weeks of gestation and between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation. Questionnaires included standardized measures of perceived stress, anxiety, depression, physical and emotional health, and social support. Socio-demographic data included immigration status, language proficiency in English, ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status.

RESULTS

Findings from this study indicate that women who identify with an ethnic minority were more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, inadequate social support, and problems with emotional and physical health during pregnancy than women who identified with the White reference group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has identified that women of an ethic minority experience greater psychosocial stress in pregnancy compared to the White reference group.

Teaching attachment behaviors to pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial of effects on infant mental health from birth to the age of three months

BACKGROUND

Maternal-fetal attachment, which forms as soon as pregnancy starts, is essential to an infant's mental development.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the effect of teaching attachment behaviors to pregnant women on infant mental health from birth to 3 months of age.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Hafiz Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from February to November 2014.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The participants were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group at 28-34 weeks gestation. The participants in the intervention group attended six educational sessions each lasting for 60-90 minutes. After delivery, the infants of mothers in each group were compared in terms of mental health indexes (total mean scores and scores derived from a checklist of questions for infant mental health with results categorized as low, average and high). Maternal anxiety levels were also recorded at birth and at 3 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Infant mental health index.

RESULTS

In 190 pregnant women (96 in the intervention group and 94 in the control group), the total mean (SD) scores for infant mental health at birth were 16.66 (1.51) in the intervention group and 16.07 (1.74) in the control group (P=.013). At 3 months, the total mental health scores infants were 31.05 (1.88) in the intervention group and 30.25 (2.10) in the control group (P=.007). Differences in checklist scores between the groups at 3 months were not statistically significant, except for crying intensity at 3 months (P=.021). Women in the control group had higher anxiety levels at 3 months (P=.01).

CONCLUSION

Teaching attachment skills to mothers increased the attachment between the mothers and their infants, and consequently, improved infant mental health. Thus, teaching attachment skills should be incorporated into routine prenatal care.

LIMITATIONS

Use of phone calls by the researcher to assess mental health.

Couples Communication Skills and Anxiety of Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Background:

physical problems during pregnancy including Anxiety disorders form a large share of health problems. On the other hand, healthy relationship and communication skills are vital to raise a family. For couples who enjoy communication skills, parenthood will be the best and most pleasant experiences in their lives. High levels of positive communication will lead to couples and their children’s mental health and couples’ good relationship can have a protective effect against stressors including anxiety of pregnancy. The current study reviewed the studies on the relationship between communication skills and the anxiety of pregnancy.

Methods:

The current study is a review where the researcher browsed the available databases like Google Scholar, Pubmed, Magiran, SID, and Science Direct and using key words of Communication skills, marital satisfaction, and the anxiety of pregnancy, & the researcher has searched the articles of 2000-2014 & read 150 abstracts & 93 full papers and ultimately, chose 50 to write this study.

Results:

By reviewing the findings literature in three general categories as Communication Skills as the Significant Component to Get Marital Satisfaction, Improving Marital Satisfaction as Pregnancy Anxiety Reducing Factor, and Communication Skills Quality as Component Influencing Pregnancy Anxiety.

Conclusions:

Having communication skills will lead to promotion of marital satisfaction and increased mental health in life. It is, therefore, recommended that communication skills be trained in routine programs for pre-marriage counseling, pre-pregnancy cares and pregnancy so that the mental health of community can be improved.

Diagnostic Validity of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD-7) among Pregnant Women

OBJECTIVE

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) during pregnancy is associated with several adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. A reliable and valid screening tool for GAD should lead to earlier detection and treatment. Among pregnant Peruvian women, a brief screening tool, the GAD-7, has not been validated. This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the GAD-7.

METHODS

Of 2,978 women who attended their first perinatal care visit and had the GAD-7 screening, 946 had a Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The Cronbach's alpha was calculated to examine the reliability. We assessed the criterion validity by calculating operating characteristics. The construct validity was evaluated using factor analysis and association with health status on the CIDI. The cross-cultural validity was explored using the Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM).

RESULTS

The reliability of the GAD-7 was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). A cutoff score of 7 or higher, maximizing the Youden Index, yielded a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 67.3%. One-factor structure of the GAD-7 was confirmed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was supported by the evidence that higher GAD-7 scores were associated with poor self-rated physical and mental health. The Rasch RSM further confirmed the cross-cultural validity of the GAD-7.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the Spanish-language version of the GAD-7 may be used as a screening tool for pregnant Peruvian women. The GAD-7 has good reliability, factorial validity, and concurrent validity. The optimal cutoff score obtained by maximizing the Youden Index should be considered cautiously; women who screened positive may require further investigation to confirm GAD diagnosis.

Symptoms of the anxiety disorders in a perinatal psychiatric sample: a chart review

Symptoms of anxiety are a central feature of perinatal mental health, yet the anxiety disorders have received considerably less attention than depression in both perinatal research and practice. The present investigation involved a retrospective review of the clinical records of 334 patients seen at a psychiatric day hospital program serving pregnant and postpartum women. We examined the frequency with which the patients in this setting reported symptoms of anxiety, clinical correlates of elevated anxiety, and patterns of diagnosis in the clinical record. The results suggest that anxiety symptoms are very common in this population and that the presence of anxiety is associated with a more severe clinical profile, including higher rates of suicidality and increased use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy and postpartum. Although anxiety symptom levels were markedly elevated in this sample, anxiety disorders were diagnosed at relatively low rates. Implications for clinical practice, including discharge and treatment planning, are discussed.

[Effects of a yoga-focused prenatal program on stress, anxiety, self confidence and labor pain in pregnant women with in vitro fertilization treatment]

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a Yoga-focused prenatal program on the stress, anxiety, self confidence and labor pain of pregnant women who had in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

METHODS

A quasi experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The data collection period and meditation program were between January 9 and August 31, 2009. Forty-six women who were pregnant following IVF, and were between 12-20 weeks gestation, participated in the study (23 experimental group, 23 control group). Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U Test, ANCOVA, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients with the SPSS 12.0 for Windows Program.

RESULTS

Although the sample size was limited, women who participated in the program showed statistically significant improvements in stress, anxiety, labor pain, and labor confidence for women pregnant after IVF.

CONCLUSION

The result indicate that this 12-week Yoga-focused educational program can be utilized for women pregnant following IVF to reduce their stress, anxiety, and labor pain, and to increase delivery confidence. It is suggested that the Yoga-focused educational program be offered to every pregnant woman.

Maternal prenatal state anxiety symptoms and birth weight: A pilot study

Many women suffer from new or worsening anxiety during pregnancy. In this pilot study, we investigated the effect of timing and severity of prenatal state anxiety symptoms on reduced birth weight. We hypothesized that: (1) Women with state anxiety symptoms during mid-gestation would deliver newborns with lower birth weight in comparison to participants with symptoms in early gestation and (2) compared to women with lower anxiety symptoms (< 50th percentile), women with medium-to-high state anxiety symptoms (> 50th percentile) would have lower birth weight offspring. The sample consisted of the first 30 pregnant women who agreed to participate in this pilot study. We assessed anxiety symptoms, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during early and mid-gestation. We obtained birth weight from clinical charts. A hierarchical multiple regression showed that, after controlling for covariates, state anxiety symptoms in mid-gestation were associated with lower infant birth weight [F(9, 7) = 20.30, p<.001]. However, birth weight did not differ as a function of the severity of maternal state anxiety [F(1, 23)=.14, p=.71 and F(1, 24)=1.76, p=.20., respectively]. Clearly, our pilot data need replication. Once statistical significance is established with larger samples, it will be informative to examine the clinical significance of those findings.

Assessment of anxiety and depression levels of pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum in a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the depression and anxiety levels of pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum by using the Beck depression and anxiety inventory scoring system in a Turkish population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To ascertain this relationship, a case-control study was conducted involving 86 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy. Forty-one subjects had hyperemesis gravidarum, and 45 were healthy pregnant women who served as control subjects. The groups were adjusted for age, parity, and body mass index. All included women were subjected to baseline laboratory investigations including serum TSH and total hCG levels.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to the demographic and obstetric parameters and baseline laboratory investigations except the mean serum potassium level, which was significantly lower in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum than in the control group (p=0.039). Patients with hyperemesis gravidarum had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores than control cases (p=0.0001 and p=0.049, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that increased anxiety and depression levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum and extra psychological support may be necessary during the treatment and follow-up of these patients.

Spectrum of anxiety disorders: diagnosis and pharmacologic treatment

Nearly 30% of women experience an anxiety disorder at some time during their lives, and there is increasing evidence that anxiety disorders are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite increased media coverage regarding anxiety disorders, women are reluctant to discuss signs and symptoms of anxiety with family or health care providers. Additionally, despite ongoing research and improved educational curricula, primary care and women's health care providers find diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders challenging. This article reviews the diagnostic features and pharmacologic treatment options for the most common anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The impact of anxiety disorders on pregnancy and guidelines for management are presented.

Mother-offspring dialogue in early pregnancy: impact of adverse environment on pregnancy maintenance and neurobiology

The mother-offspring dialogue begins even before implantation and is essential to signal pregnancy, establish robust contact, and maintain embryo growth and development. Any circumstance that disrupts the dialogue risks pregnancy problems. A new look at how stress impacts on pregnancy involves its adverse effects on the key pregnancy hormones of progesterone and prolactin. These effects have far-reaching consequences on pregnancy maintenance, maternal anxiety and embryo programming. This review focuses on early pregnancy and how stress might compromise the multi-layer, two-way communication between mother and embryo.

Effects of relaxation on psychobiological wellbeing during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Prenatal maternal stress is associated with adverse birth outcomes and may be reduced by relaxation exercises. The aim of the present study was to compare the immediate effects of two active and one passive 10-min relaxation technique on perceived and physiological indicators of relaxation. 39 healthy pregnant women recruited at the outpatient department of the University Women's Hospital Basel participated in a randomized controlled trial with an experimental repeated measure design. Participants were assigned to one of two active relaxation techniques, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) or guided imagery (GI), or a passive relaxation control condition. Self-reported relaxation on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and state anxiety (STAI-S), endocrine parameters indicating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (cortisol and ACTH) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system activity (norepinephrine and epinephrine), as well as cardiovascular responses (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were measured at four time points before and after the relaxation exercise. Between group differences showed, that compared to the PMR and control conditions, GI was significantly more effective in enhancing levels of relaxation and together with PMR, GI was associated with a significant decrease in heart rate. Within the groups, passive as well as active relaxation procedures were associated with a decline in endocrine measures except epinephrine. Taken together, these data indicate that different types of relaxation had differential effects on various psychological and biological stress systems. GI was especially effective in inducing self-reported relaxation in pregnant women while at the same time reducing cardiovascular activity.

Neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to psychotropic medications

Until now, studies on the reproductive safety of psychotropics have typically assessed the risk of congenital malformations and perinatal complications associated with in utero exposure to such medications. However, little is known of their inherent potential neurobehavioral teratogenicity. The objective is to analyze available data from studies investigating developmental outcome of children exposed prenatally to psychotropics. A computerized Medline/PubMed/TOXNET/ENBASE search (1960-2010) was conducted using the following keywords: pregnancy, child/infant development/neurodevelopment, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. A separate search was also run to complete the safety profile of single specific medications. Resultant articles were cross-referenced for other relevant articles not identified in the initial search. A noncomputerized review of pertinent journals and textbooks was also performed. All studies published in English and reporting primary data on the developmental outcome of infants exposed in utero to psychotropics and born without malformations were collected. As regards antiepileptic drugs, only studies that provided data on specific medications approved for psychiatric practice use (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and valproate) were considered. Data were extracted from 41 articles (38 identified electronically and 3 nonelectronically), which met the inclusion criteria. Despite reviewed studies showing relevant methodological limitations, concordant, albeit preliminary, information seems to exclude that prenatal exposure to both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants may interfere with the infants' psychological and cognitive development. Conversely, information on valproate strongly discourages its use in pregnant women. Moreover, although data on carbamazepine remain controversial, information on whole classes of drugs and single medications is either absent (second-generation antipsychotics) or too limited (first-generation antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, lithium, and lamotrigine) to inform the decision-making process. For all classes of psychotropics, new and/or further studies are warranted to answer definitively the urgent question about the impact of prenatal exposure to such medications on infant development.