Preterm birth and maternal psychological health

Prevalence of preterm birth and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of east Gojjam zone, Ethiopia

BACKGROUNDS

Preterm birth is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy or fewer than 259 days since the first day of a woman's last menstrual period. Globally, 14.84 million babies were preterm births. Preterm infants are at risk for specific diseases related to the immaturity of various organ systems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of preterm birth and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of east Gojjam zone, Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 up to June 30, 2021, in public hospitals in the east Gojjam zone. Systematic random sampling was used. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, patient interviews and patient card reviews. We used binary logistic regression analysis with 95% CI and P-value < 0.05 to identify the significant factors with preterm birth.

RESULTS

Out of 615 mothers, 13.2% gave a preterm birth. Antenatal care (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI = (1.67, 5.09)), educational status of mother (AOR = 2.79; 95% CI = (1.27, 6.67)), husband educational status(AOR = 2.11; 95% CI = (1.10, 4.18)), Average monthly family income(AOR = 1.95; 95% CI = (1.05, 3.75)),family size(AOR = 0.15; 95% CI = (0.03, 0.67)), multifetal gestation (AOR = 3.30; 95% CI = (1.29, 8.69), having Premature Rupture Of Membrane (AOR = 6.46; 95% CI= (2.52, 18.24)), history of chronic illness (AOR = 3.94; 95% CI = (1.67, 9.45)), being HIV positive(AOR = 6.99; 95% CI= (1.13, 44.65)), Ante-Partum Hemorrhage (AOR = 3.62; 95% CI= (1.12, 12.59)), pregnancy Induced Hypertension (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI= (1.19, 11.84)), mode of delivery (AOR = 7.16; 95% CI = (2.09, 29.29)), and onset of labor (AOR = 0.10; 95% CI = (0.03, 0.29)) were found to be significantly associated with preterm birth.

CONCLUSIONS

antenatal care, educational status of the mother, husband's educational status, family income, family size, multifetal gestation, Premature Rupture of the membrane, history of chronic illness, being HIV positive, Ante-Partum Hemorrhage, pregnancy Induced Hypertension, mode of delivery, and the onset of labor were found to be significantly associated with preterm birth. To minimize the proportion of preterm birth focusing on this important variables, timely identification of obstetric complications, strengthening early screening of HIV and high-risk pregnancies like multiple gestations, PIH and APH were important.

Prevalence of mental health problems in mothers of preterm infants admitted to NICU: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of mental health problems among mothers of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional two-arm study, 130 mothers in each group, with either term infants not in NICU or preterm infants admitted to NICU, underwent mental health assessment using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire and Modified Parental Stress Scale-NICU. Their coping styles and quality of life were also assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM 25.0.

RESULTS

Anxiety (66.2% versus 46.9%) and depression (45.4% versus 23.1%) were more common among NICU mothers. Regarding subdomains of acute stress reaction, a higher number of NICU mothers showed symptoms of anxiety, re-experience and functional impairment. For mothers with infants in NICU, sight, sound, and parental role alterations were stressful. They had reduced quality of life scores in domains of physical health, psychological health, and social relationships. Also, a higher number of these mothers exhibited problem-solving and emotion-focused coping.

CONCLUSION

Preterm birth with NICU admission of the infant is more stressful for a mother than the term birth of a healthy neonate. It affects her mental health and quality of life. Both the obstetrician and the pediatrician should be mindful of this.

"I'll Be There": Informal and Formal Support Systems and Mothers' Psychological Distress during NICU Hospitalization

Mothers of infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are at a high risk for psychological distress, which is of concern to health and social professionals due to the negative implications for mothers and infants. A model for explaining maternal psychological distress, consisting of intolerance to uncertainty and support from informal (spouse, family, and friends) and formal (medical staff) systems was examined. Data was collected from one of the largest NICUs in Israel; 129 mothers of 215 preterm infants completed self-report questionnaires regarding their background variables, intolerance to uncertainty, perceived informal support and perceived medical staff support. The NICU's medical staff provided indicators for the infants of participating mothers. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted. The examined model explained 29.2% of the variance in maternal psychological distress. Intolerance of uncertainty positively predicted psychological distress. Informal support, and in particular, spousal support negatively predicted psychological distress above and beyond intolerance of uncertainty. Medical staff support negatively predicted psychological distress above and beyond intolerance to uncertainty and informal support. Our findings suggest that maternal psychological distress is reduced through a family-centered care approach in NICUs. Medical professionals and social services should develop further solutions for addressing preterm mothers' need for certainty and support.

Preterm birth and postpartum depression within 6 months after childbirth in a Brazilian cohort

Preterm birth (PTB) and postpartum depression (PPD) are important public health issues, and although literature mainly supports the association between them, some reviews have highlighted methodological limitations in the studies in this field, restricting the interpretation of such finding. This study aimed at assessing the association between PTB and PPD, by comparing groups of preterm and full-term mothers in two Brazilian cities with contrasting sociodemographic indicators. This prospective convenience cohort study assessed 1421 women during pregnancy, at childbirth, and in the postpartum period. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administrated to assess PPD within 6 months after delivery and women were considered probably depressed if scores were EDPS ≥ 12. PTB was defined as the delivery before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. A multivariate Poisson regression was used to estimate relative risk for PPD in mothers of preterm infants, and the final analysis models were adjusted for psychosocial variables, selected according to the directed acyclic graph (DAG) approach. Frequencies of PPD were not significantly different in mothers of preterm and full-term infants, in neither city. In the final adjusted model, PTB was not associated with PPD. The association between PTB and PPD was not confirmed in two large samples from two Brazilian cities with contrasting socioeconomic profile. However, maternal health during pregnancy plays an important role in predicting PPD. Prenatal care should promote maternal mental health as an effort towards decreasing unfavored outcomes for mothers, infants, and families.

Mental health impact on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations with preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the main causes of neonatal deaths globally, with approximately 15 million infants are born preterm. Women from the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations maybe at higher risk of PTB, therefore, the mental health impact on mothers experiencing a PTB is particularly important, within the BAME populations.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of mental health conditions among BAME women with PTB as well as the methods of mental health assessments used to characterise the mental health outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic methodology was developed and published as a protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42020210863). Multiple databases were used to extract relevant data. I² and Egger’s tests were used to detect the heterogeneity and publication bias. A trim and fill method was used to demonstrate the influence of publication bias and the credibility of conclusions.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria from a possible 3526. The prevalence rates of depression among PTB-BAME mothers were significantly higher than full-term mothers with a standardized mean difference of 1.5 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) 29%-74%. The subgroup analysis indicated depressive symptoms to be time sensitive. Women within the very PTB category demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of depression than those categorised as non-very PTB. The prevalence rates of anxiety and stress among PTB-BAME mothers were significantly higher than in full-term mothers (odds ratio of 88% and 60% with a CI of 42%-149% and 24%-106%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

BAME women with PTB suffer with mental health conditions. Many studies did not report on specific mental health outcomes for BAME populations. Therefore, the impact of PTB is not accurately represented in this population, and thus could negatively influence the quality of maternity services they receive.

The physical and emotional health of South Korean mothers of preterm infants in the early postpartum period: a descriptive correlational study

Purpose

This study investigated the physical and emotional health of South Korean mothers of preterm infants in the early postpartum period.

Methods

In this descriptive correlational study, the participants included 91 mothers of preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Physical health status was measured using a self-reported questionnaire, postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and guilt using a 4-item scale.

Results

Fatigue had the highest score among mothers' physical health problems, followed by shoulder pain, nipple pain, neck pain. The average postpartum depression score was 11.02 points, and 44% of women had postpartum depression with a score of 12 or above. Postpartum depression significantly was correlated with physical health (r=.35, p=.001), anxiety (r=.84, p<.001), and guilt (r=.75, p<.001) and was significantly higher for women with multiple births, and preterm infants who required ventilator and antibiotic treatment. Anxiety also showed a significant difference according to preterm infants’ condition.

Conclusion

The significant correlations between postpartum depression and physical health, anxiety, and guilt indicate a need for nursing interventions that provide integrated management of mothers’ physical and emotional health.

Evaluation of the InterRAI Early Years for Degree of Preterm Birth and Gross Motor Delay

Background

The interRAI 0–3 Early Years was recently developed to support intervention efforts based on the needs of young children and their families. One aspect of child development assessed by the Early Years instrument are motor skills, which are integral for the maturity of cognition, language, social-emotional and other developmental outcomes. Gross motor development, however, is negatively impacted by pre-term birth and low birth weight. For the purpose of known-groups validation, an at-risk sample of preterm children using the interRAI 0–3 Early Years was included to examine correlates of preterm risk and the degree of gross motor delay.

Methods

Participant data included children and families (n = 591) from 17 health agencies in Ontario, Canada. Data were collected as part of a pilot study using the full interRAI 0–3 Early Years assessment. Correlational analyses were used to determine relationships between prenatal risk and preterm birth and bivariate analyses examined successful and failed performance of at-risk children on gross motor items. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine the mean difference in gross motor scores for children born at various weeks gestation.

Results

Correlational analysis indicated that prenatal and perinatal factors such as maternal nicotine use during pregnancy did not have significant influence over gross motor achievement for the full sample, however, gross motor scores were lower for children born pre-term or low birth weight based on bivariate analysis. Gross motor scores decreased from 40 weeks’ gestation (mean rank = 310.77), to moderate to late preterm (mean rank = 258.96), and to very preterm (mean rank = 234.54), however extremely preterm (mean rank = 236.28) performed comparably to very preterm.

Interpretation

The interRAI 0–3 was evaluated to determine its efficacy and report findings which confirm the literature regarding delay in gross motor performance for preterm children. Findings confirm that pre-term and low birth weight children are at greater risk for motor delay via the interRAI 0–3 Early Years gross motor domain.

A Study of Maternal Competence in Preterm Birth Condition, during the Transition from Hospital to Home: An Early Intervention Program's Proposal

The study was conducted with 104 mothers (average age 32.5 years, SD 6.1) of preterm infants (very and moderately preterm but still healthy) to monitor the perceived maternal role competence from the time of hospitalisation to post-discharge, in order to define an intervention program to support mothers during this transition. A targeted Q-Sort tool (Maternal Competence Q-Sort in preterm birth) was applied at two different times as a self-observation tool for parenting competence in neonatology. A tendency towards dysregulation of the maternal role competence was detected, mainly in terms of low self-assessment and was found to worsen during post-discharge, particularly with regard to caregiving ability. This study suggests the importance of accompanying parenting competence in preterm birth conditions, not only during hospitalisation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) but also following discharge in order to promote the development of premature infants. This paper reports in the last part a specific integrated psychoeducational intervention program (psychologist and nurses), which we defined precisely in light of the suggestions offered by the study data on perceived maternal competence created with the Q-sort.

Association between maternal outdoor physical exercise and the risk of preterm birth: a case-control study in Wuhan, China

BACKGROUND

China had the second largest proportion of preterm birth (PTB) internationally. However, only 11% of pregnant women in China meet international guidelines for maternal physical activity, a significantly lower proportion than that in Western countries. This study aims to examine the association between outdoor physical exercise during pregnancy and PTB among Chinese women in Wuhan, China.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted among 6656 pregnant women (2393 cases and 4263 controls) in Wuhan, China from June 2011 to June 2013. Self-reported measures of maternal physical exercise (frequency per week and per day in minutes) were collected. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression and a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM).

RESULTS

Compared to women not involved in any physical activity, those who participated in physical exercise 1-2 times, 3-4 times, and over five times per week had 20% (aOR: 0.80, 95% credible interval [95% CI]: 0.68-0.92), 30% (aOR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.82), and 32% (aOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59-0.78) lower odds of PTB, respectively. The Bayesian GAMM showed that increasing physical exercise per day was associated with lower risk of PTB when exercise was less than 150 min per day; however, this direction of association is reversed when physical exercise was more than 150 min per day.

CONCLUSION

Maternal physical exercise, at a moderate amount and intensity, is associated with lower PTB risk. More data from pregnant women with high participation in physical exercise are needed to confirm the reported U-shape association between the physical exercise and risk of preterm birth.

The Association between Having a Preterm Birth and Later Maternal Mental Health: An Analysis of U.S. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies have found a relationship between having a preterm birth and maternal depression, methodologic issues may have limited the generalizability of results. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between having a preterm birth and postpartum depressive symptoms using a large, population-based sample of U.S. women.

METHODS

This secondary data analysis used 2012-2014 U.S. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data (N = 89,366). Data on the exposure, preterm birth, were obtained from birth certificates. Infants born at 32 to less than 37 weeks' gestation were considered moderate to late preterm, infants born at 28 to less than 32 full weeks' gestation were considered very preterm, and infant born at less than 28 full weeks' gestation were considered extremely preterm. To assess the outcome, two Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System questions measuring postpartum depressive symptoms were used. Logistic regression was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs).

RESULTS

After adjustment for confounders, the relationship between having a preterm birth and maternal hopelessness was statistically significant for those who had very preterm and extremely preterm births (moderate to late preterm OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00-1.42; very preterm OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04-1.58; extremely preterm OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.31-2.49). In addition, after adjustment, findings indicated no association between preterm birth and maternal loss of interest (extremely preterm OR, 0.85 95% CI, 0.60-1.19; very preterm OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86-1.26; preterm OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.82-1.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the statistically significant increased association between having a preterm birth and postpartum depressive symptoms, health professionals may consider implementing comprehensive screening for depression and other mental illnesses among women who give birth prematurely. Findings may also inform future interventions to emphasize the importance of postpartum care among women who have experienced preterm birth.

Postpartal Affective and Endocrine Differences Between Parents of Preterm and Full-Term Infants

BACKGROUND

During the postpartum period, new parents frequently experience emotional stress and exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety, accompanied by substantial endocrine changes. However, evidence predominantly exists from parents of full-term infants, while data on parents of preterm infants are scarce. In this exploratory, cross-sectional study, we compared psychological well-being and endocrine parameters in parents of very preterm and term born infants.

METHODS

Mothers (N = 28) and fathers (N = 30) of full-term infants as well as mothers (N = 18) and fathers (N = 21) of very or extreme preterm infants (< 32^nd gestational week) were recruited in the days following birth. Anxiety, depression, and perceived stress were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), respectively. Physiological measures included serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (mothers only), as well as the salivary cortisol awakening response (mothers and fathers).

RESULTS

New mothers and fathers of very preterm infants exhibited higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress than parents of term infants. Besides, mothers of very preterm infants showed lower levels of estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin, as well as a heightened post-awakening cortisol response compared to mothers of term infants. Furthermore, in mothers of preterm infants we found significant negative associations between serum prolactin levels and BDI and STAI scores, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents of very preterm infants suffered from a higher burden of psychological distress than parents of full-term infants. The affective symptoms in preterm mothers were accompanied by altered endocrine profiles that, at least to some extent, may contribute to the psychological changes. The profound psychological and physiological disturbances in mothers of preterm infants may have an impact on long-term mental health and early pharmacological and psychological interventions may help to ameliorate postpartum affective symptoms.

Preterm birth as a risk factor for postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This systematic review aimed to critically analyze the studies that explored preterm birth as risk factor for postpartum depression in the last 10 years.

METHODS

Two independent researchers performed a systematic review of indexed studies in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and PsycInfo database. The PRISMA for reporting systematic review model was used to conduct data extraction. A meta-analysis was performed including a sub-group of studies.

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 26 studies and 12 were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the studies supported the association between preterm birth (PTB) and postpartum depression (PPD). However, 8 studies did not find such association and, even among studies with positive findings, results were heterogeneous, given the methodological discrepancies among the studies. The meta-analysis provided evidence of higher risk for PPD among mothers of preterm infants in assessments performed up to 24 weeks after childbirth.

LIMITATIONS

Most of the studies did not consider the role of important confounding variables, such as previous history of depression. Heterogeneity of assessment tools and cut-off scores were also considered a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Further prospective population-based studies with an integrative approach of PPD are needed to provide consistent evidence of such association. Important confounding variables and biological measures implicated in PPD should be considered. Our findings highlight the importance of maternal mental health care in this target population, as preterm birth experience seem to affect both babies and mothers. We encourage PPD assessment for mothers of preterm infants, especially in the early postpartum period.

Working together for women’s empowerment: Strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration in perinatal care

Women’s experiences of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum adjustment are often characterized by feelings of disempowerment, trauma, and emotional pain. Psychosocial perinatal care has not kept up with medical advances in perinatal care. Access to psychosocial care appears to be inadequate because of the following: (a) perinatal health care providers are insufficiently prepared to address emotional aspects of maternal care and (b) traditional, compartmentalized psychological services benefit only a subsection of perinatal women, often in an untimely manner. Practical and innovative psychosocial services, integrated into routine perinatal care, can provide widespread access to psychosocial resources for mothers and supports providers in delivering optimal care.

The Effects of Single-Family Rooms on Parenting Behavior and Maternal Psychological Factors

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships among special care nursery design, parental presence, breastfeeding, psychological distress, hospital-related stress, and maternal parenting self-efficacy at the infant's discharge from hospital and at 4 months postdischarge.

DESIGN

We used a causal comparative design to compare two special care nursery designs: open ward nursery (OW) and single-family room (SFR) nursery.

SETTING

Special care nurseries of two tertiary hospitals on the Gold Coast, Australia, with the newly built second hospital replacing the first.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-six mothers of infants cared for in the special care nurseries (OW, n = 31; SFR, n = 25).

METHODS

Participating mothers completed parental presence records during their infants' stays in hospital and completed two surveys, one at discharge and the other at 4 months postdischarge, to measure their psychological distress, hospital-related stress, parenting self-efficacy, and infant feeding method.

RESULTS

Mothers with newborns in SFR nurseries spent markedly more time with their newborns, without any more visits or fewer visits, than mothers of newborns in OW nurseries during the first 2 weeks of their newborns' lives. For mothers with low levels of presence, parental role alteration stress was significantly greater for mothers in OW compared with SFR nurseries. Compared with mothers of infants in OW nurseries, mothers of newborns in SFR nurseries were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed their newborns at discharge from the hospital and at 4 months postdischarge.

CONCLUSION

Compared with mothers with infants in OW nurseries, mothers with infants in SFR nurseries were more likely to be present and to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. Likewise, the SFR nursery was protective against stress related to changes in the parenting role for mothers who had low levels of presence.