Mode of birth and early postnatal psychological morbidity

The Association between Cesarean Section Delivery and Child Behavior: Is It Mediated by Maternal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Maternal Postpartum Depression?

Cesarean sections (C-sections) account for up to 21% of births worldwide. Studies have linked delivery via C-section with an increased risk of child behavior problems, such as internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) is also linked to child behavioral problems and may play a mediating role in the association between the mode of delivery and child behavior. Mixed findings between mode of delivery and PPD may be due to a failure to distinguish between C-section types, as unplanned/emergency C-sections are linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has been linked to PPD. The objectives of this study were to determine whether, (1) compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) and planned C-section, unplanned/emergency C-sections are associated with increased child behavior problems at two to three years of age and (2) maternal PTSD and PPD mediate the association between delivery type and child behavior problems. A secondary data analysis was conducted on 938 mother-child dyads enrolled in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. Conditional process modeling was employed. Child behavior was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5-5 years, and maternal PPD and PTSD were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ), respectively. No associations were found between delivery type and child behaviors; however, the indirect effect of emergency C-section on child behaviors was significant via the mediating pathway of maternal PTSD on PPD symptoms.

Association between sexual function in women and sleep quality

Objective

To determine the relationship between sexual dysfunction and sleep disorders.

Methods

Observational study was conducted in 2021 and 2022 including 975 Spanish women over 18 years of age. The Women's Sexual Function Questionnaire (FSM-12) was used as a source of information, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. A bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression, adjusting for confounding variables. Crude (OR) and adjusted (aOR) odds ratios were estimated with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Around 29.2% (285) of the women presented some type of sexual dysfunction, and 73.4% (716) showed sleep disturbance with scores ≥5 on the PSQI scale. The mean score on the PSQI was 8.23 points (SD = 3.93). All the dimensions of the sexual function scale were statistically related to sleep disturbance (p  ≤ 0.05), except for sexual activity and the reasons for sexual activity not having penetration. In the multivariable analysis, women with sexual dysfunction presented an aOR of sleep disturbance of 1.88 (95% CI: 1.29-2.76) compared to women without dysfunction.

Conclusion

Global sexual dysfunction and almost all the dimensions that make up sexual function are related to changes in sleep quality.

Associations among Caesarean Section Birth, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries account for nearly 30% of births annually with emergency C-sections accounting for 7-9% of all births. Studies have linked C-sections to postpartum depression (PPD). PPD is linked to reduced quality of parent-child interaction, and adverse effects on maternal and child health. New mothers' perceptions of more negative childbirth experiences, such as unplanned/emergency C-sections, are linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which in turn is related to PPD. Our objectives were to determine: (1) the association between C-section type (unplanned/emergency vs. planned) and PPD symptoms, and (2) if postnatal PTSD symptoms mediate this association. Employing secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 354 mother-child dyads between 2009 and 2013 from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study, conditional process modeling was employed. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) were administered at three months postpartum, to assess for postpartum depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The direct effect of emergency C-section on PPD symptoms was non-significant in adjusted and non-adjusted models; however, the indirect effect of emergency C-section on PPD symptoms with PTSD symptoms as a mediator was significant after controlling for prenatal depression symptoms, social support, and SES (β = 0.17 (SE = 0.11), 95% CI [0.03, 0.42]). This suggests that mothers who experienced an emergency or unplanned C-section had increased PTSD scores of nearly half a point (0.47) compared to mothers who underwent a planned C-section, even after adjustment. Overall, emergency C-section was indirectly associated with PPD symptoms, through PTSD symptoms. Findings suggest that PTSD symptoms may be a mechanism through which emergency C-sections are associated with the development of PPD symptoms.

Midwives' experiences of the factors that facilitate normal birth among low risk women in public hospitals in Catalonia (Spain)

BACKGROUND

Normal birth has major benefits for women and infants. Nevertheless, during the last few decades, the advancement in technology and an increasing domination of obstetrician-led childbirths have resulted in the medicalization of childbirth. Midwives are interested in amending this trend and aim to support women to achieve the best possible birth experience for them.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore midwives' experiences on the facilitators and barriers of normal birth in conventional obstetric units.

DESIGN

A descriptive qualitative study. Three focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Recurrent themes were identified and formulated. Feedback from data were analysed using thematic analysis. Investigator triangulation was used during the analysis.

SETTING

Midwives from eleven different public hospitals in Catalonia participated in the study.

PARTICIPANTS

A purposive sample of 33 midwives participated in the focus groups.

FINDINGS

Midwives identified several factors that complicated their task of facilitating normal birth. Barriers included: (1) inadequate institutional support; (2) existing obstetrician-led practices, (3) lack of evidence-based practice and (4) midwives' lack of awareness of professional competencies. Factors facilitating normal birth included: (1) midwives' positive perceptions of normal birth, (2) midwives' additional effort and (3) women's awareness of normal birth.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Midwives wishing to promote normal birth in obstetric units face a number of challenges and often feel unsupported. Nonetheless, the midwives perceive the increasing women's demand for normal births as an opportunity to implement changes in such a way that women are involved in the decision-making process and midwives act as their advocates.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

There is a need to increase the midwifery workforce and enhance regulations and funding strategies to support their practice as well as normal birth. Policy makers in settings without well-functioning midwife-led care should consider implementing this model after successfully scaling up of the number of midwives and ensuring an effective midwifery training.

Psychosocial factors that mediate the association between mode of birth and maternal postnatal adjustment: findings from a population-based survey

BACKGROUND

Mode of birth has been found to be associated with maternal postnatal adjustment with women who have Caesarean Sections (CS) thought to be at higher risk of emotional distress. However the relationship is complex and studies have demonstrated mixed findings. The aim of this study is to evaluate a model that explores the direct relationship between mode of birth and postnatal maternal adjustment at 3 months and indirect relationships through psychosocial variables.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of a population-based survey conducted in England, UK in 2014. The analysis included primiparous women with singleton babies who provided information about mode of birth (n = 2139).

RESULTS

Maternal postnatal adjustment, as measured by Maternal postnatal wellbeing and Satisfaction with care during labour and birth, varied by mode of birth. Women who had an unplanned CS had the poorest postnatal adjustment. Mode of birth was not associated with Maternal/infant sense of belonging. Four out of the five proposed mediation variables (Perceived control, Maternal expectation, Support in labour, How long until the mother held her baby), showed partial mediation of the relationship between mode of birth and both Maternal postnatal wellbeing and Satisfaction with care during labour and birth. The strongest mediator was Perceived control and the only variable not to show a significant mediation effect was Health of the infant at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Birth by unplanned, but not planned, caesarean section was associated with poorer maternal adjustment and instrumental birth was associated with lower maternal satisfaction with labour and birth. These relationships were found to be partially mediated by psychosocial variables. Psychosocial interventions in the perinatal period should be considered to optimise maternal postnatal adjustment.