EP28.02: Identifying the severity of depression among pregnant women diagnosed with hypertension: do we need emotional support groups?

Abstract Background Pregnancy is a unique period with the increased likelihood of psychological changes and emotional disturbances such as depression, anxiety, and stress. In this study, we investigated the factors influencing depression, anxiety, and stress in pregnancy and identify their associations with Sexual Distress (SD) and Genital Self-Image (GSI). Methods This was a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study performed using the two-stage cluster sampling method between September 2019 and January 2020. Overall, 295 pregnant women completed a demographics and obstetric information checklist, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSI), and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Results Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in the mean scores of SD between the groups with varying degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress (P < 0.001) and in the mean score of GSI between the groups with varying degrees of depression (P = 0.01) and anxiety (P < 0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, higher (worse) depression, anxiety, and stress scores were found in women with more advanced age and higher SD scores; however, these scores were lower (better) in those with increased gestational age. Lower depression and anxiety scores were associated with moderate satisfaction with income, moderate satisfaction with BI in pregnancy, and lower stress and depression scores were linked to planned pregnancy. Higher (better) GSI score was a predictor of lower depression score, complication in a previous pregnancy was a predictor of higher stress score, and finally, fear of fetal abortion and being a housewife were predictors of a higher anxiety score. Conclusion Various factors contribute to the development of antenatal depression, anxiety, and stress. A positive correlation was found between SD and the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress, while a negative correlation was noted between GSI and the severity of depression and anxiety. Therefore, raising awareness regarding SD and GSI through screening and counseling sessions can have beneficial effects for mothers and their fetuses.

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The association between perceived emotional support, maternal mood, salivary cortisol, salivary cortisone, and the ratio between the two compounds in response to acute stress in second trimester pregnant women

Journal of Psychosomatic Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.08.010 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 314-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Pearl La Marca-Ghaemmaghami ◽

Roberto La Marca ◽

Sara M. Dainese ◽

Marina Haller ◽

Roland Zimmermann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Second Trimester ◽

Maternal Mood

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A formal support group for esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula in South Africa may improve the outcome of these children and their families

Journal of Neonatal Surgery ◽

10.47338/jns.v10.957 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Corné De Vos ◽

Werner De Vos ◽

Daniel Sidler

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Support Groups ◽

Esophageal Atresia ◽

Support Group ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Tracheoesophageal Fistula ◽

Treatment Plan ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Formal Support

The psychosocial aspect of various congenital anomalies like esophageal atresia (EA) with/or without a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) being the cause of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in parents of these children, is often overlooked by medical professionals. Support groups may be useful to address a part of this problem and form an important aspect of emotional support for any rare or congenital disease. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the need for a formal support group for parents of patients born with EA and to emphasize the role of emotional support for these parents and children. A questionnaire was sent to members of an informal WhatsApp group which included participants with diverse demographics across private and public platforms, across South Africa. The questions focused on 3 main areas: demographic data, diagnosis and the surgery, and information about the participant’s emotional support. All the data were inserted in an excel datasheet and descriptive statistical analysis was used. Questions were sent to 14 members of an informal WhatsApp group. Eight were included in the study. All 8 participants were mothers of children born with an EA with a TEF. The questions about the need for emotional support focus on the time after the baby was born. The majority (87.5%) of the mothers felt that they could bond with their babies during pregnancy, but in contrast, 75% felt that they missed an opportunity to bond with their babies after birth, mainly because they were not allowed to hold their babies for up to 11 days after birth. Only 1 of the mothers were in contact with other families with children born with EA, and 6 of the remaining 7 agreed that this would have helped them during this emotionally challenging time. All 8 thought that sharing their stories with others could have helped them emotionally and all agreed that an EA/TEF support group was a good idea. The family, as another patient, ought to be treated and included in the overall treatment plan if we aim to improve the quality of life for both the patients and their families. Disease-specific support groups can play a major role in the emotional well-being of both the children born with EA and their families.

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Exploring community support on safe motherhood: A case of Lilongwe District, Malawi

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2907 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mercy Pindani ◽

Idesi Chilinda ◽

Janet Botha ◽

Genesis Chorwe-Sungani

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Support Groups ◽

Community Support ◽

Safe Motherhood ◽

Community Members ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Maternal Deaths ◽

Health Committee ◽

Village Health

Background: Malawi is grappling with a high maternal mortality of 439 per 100 000 live births. It is estimated that 80% of maternal deaths can be prevented by actively engaging the community in the country. However, community support on safe motherhood remains unknown.Aim: This study, therefore, explored community support rendered to mothers and babies during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods.Setting: This study was conducted in the Lilongwe District, Malawi.Methods: This was a qualitative study that collected data from 30 village health committee members through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: This study found that community support on safe motherhood rendered to women varied. The following five themes emerged from FGDs data on community support on safe motherhood: antenatal support, intrapartum support, postpartum support, bylaws reinforced by chiefs in the community and safe motherhood support groups. Community members encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal care, escorted pregnant women to the hospital for delivery and assisted women to care for a child and go for postpartum checkups. Community bylaws were considered as a necessary tool for encouraging women to attend antenatal care, deliver at the health facility and attend postpartum checkups.Conclusion: This study suggests that community members play a crucial role in providing support to women and newborns during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods.

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Nursing and hospitalized high-risk pregnant women: challenges for comprehensive care

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP ◽

10.1590/s1980-220x2018036903557 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 ◽

Author(s):

Bruna Felisberto de Souza ◽

Jamile Claro de Castro Bussadori ◽

José Ricardo de Carvalho Mesquita Ayres ◽

Márcia Regina Cangiani Fabbro ◽

Monika Wernet

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

High Risk ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Informational Support ◽

Technical Success ◽

Thematic Content Analysis ◽

Daily Care ◽

Nursing Professionals

Abstract Objective: To analyze the interactions between nursing and hospitalized high-risk pregnant women regarding the possibilities and limits of providing care guided by the principle of comprehensiveness. Method: A qualitative study based on the conceptual framework of comprehensiveness and developed from the precepts of thematic content analysis. Data were collected through open interviews and observation of the care scenario of twelve nursing professionals with hospitalized high-risk pregnant women. Results: Twelve (12) nursing professionals participated in the study. Nursing practices are portrayed from two thematic categories: “Embracement: emotional and informational support” and “Assessing and monitoring gestational risk”. The findings revealed intentions to embrace women, providing informal and emotional support, but under weaknesses in intersubjective relationships. There is an emphasis on “technical success”, not always sufficiently articulated with “practical success” in care actions, with harm to achieving comprehensiveness. Conclusion: The findings revealed that an emphasis on the biomedical management of obstetric risk and structural and organizational limitations of work end up hindering incorporating into daily care the concerns and knowledge necessary for constructing its comprehensiveness.

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Support during pregnancy for women at increased risk of low birthweight babies

10.32920/ryerson.14639658 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Suzanne Fredericks

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

At Risk ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Multidisciplinary Teams ◽

Caesarean Birth ◽

Additional Support ◽

Tangible Assistance

Background: Studies consistently show a relationship between social disadvantage and low birthweight. Many countries have programs offering special assistance to women thought to be at risk for giving birth to a low birthweight infant. These programs may include advice and counseling (about nutrition, rest, stress management, alcohol and recreational drug use), tangible assistance (e.g., transportation to clinic appointments, help with household responsibilities), and emotional support. The programs may be delivered by multidisciplinary teams of health professionals, by specially trained lay workers, or by a combination of lay and professional workers. Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of programs offering additional social support for pregnant women who are believed to be at risk for giving birth to preterm or low birthweight babies. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (March 2009). Selection criteria: Randomized trials of additional support during at-risk pregnancy by either a professional (social worker, midwife, or nurse) or specially trained lay person, compared to routine care. Additional support was defined as some form of emotional support (e.g., counseling, reassurance, sympathetic listening) and information or advice or both, either in home visits or during clinic appointments, and could include tangible assistance (e.g., transportation to clinic appointments, assistance with the care of other children at home). Data collection and analysis: We independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Double data entry was performed. We contacted study authors to request additional information. Results: Eighteen trials, involving 12,658 women, were included. The trials were generally of good to excellent quality, although three used an allocation method likely to introduce bias. Programs offering additional social support for at-risk pregnant women were not associated with improvements in any perinatal outcomes, but there was a reduction in the likelihood of caesarean birth and an increased likelihood of elective termination of pregnancy. Some improvements in immediate maternal psychosocial outcomes were found in individual trials. Authors' conclusions: Pregnant women need the support of caring family members, friends, and health professionals. While programs which offer additional support during pregnancy are unlikely to prevent the pregnancy from resulting in a low birthweight or preterm baby, they may be helpful in reducing the likelihood of caesarean birth.

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PENGARUH KARAKTERISTIK IBU DAN DUKUNGAN SUAMI TERHADAP PEMERIKSAAN KEHAMILAN DI KECAMATAN ANGKOLA TIMUR KABUPATEN TAPANULI SELATAN

Jurnal Ilmiah PANNMED (Pharmacist, Analyst, Nurse, Nutrition, Midwivery, Environment, Dentist) ◽

10.36911/pannmed.v8i3.377 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 317-325

Author(s):

Rosmawaty Harahap ◽

Meidiawaty Siregar

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Health Centre ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Good Health ◽

Significance Level ◽

Regression Test ◽

Mother’S Age ◽

Logistic Regression Test

One of the efforts to observe the progress of pregnancy in order to ascertain good health of the motherand the womb is by getting antenatal care. The result of the preliminary survey in working area ofHealth Centre Pargarutan, East Angkola district showed that according to the data 2009, the coverageof K4 was 73,5% and the data 2010, the coverage of K4 was only 78% (it is still far from the expectedcoverage by Ministry of Health , that 90%). This research was aimed to analyze the influence of thecharacteristics of the mother (parity, age, occupation, education) and husband’s support (informational,assessment, instrumental and emotional) on antenatal care. The type of the research was cross-sectionalstudy. The research was carried out in Health Centre Pargarutan, East Angkola district. The populationin this research were all pregnant women in Health Centre Pargarutan, East Angkola district with KIAbook. The amount of the sample were 74 pregnant women with proportional sampling technique. Dataanalysis used multiple logistic regression test with significance level of 95% ( α < 0,05). The result ofthe research showed that there were influences of parity, emotional support and instrumental support onantenatal care. There was no influence of mother’s age, education, occupation, informational support andassessment/appreciation support on antenatal care. The most dominant variable influenced on antenatalcare was emotional support. It is recommended that the policy-maker should conduct cooperation in orderto improve the routine socialization and counseling on the antenatal care with involve the pregnantmother’s husbands to accompany them.

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Pregnancy Anxiety and Associated Factors in Pregnant Women

Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.5812/zjrms.99953 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Saeede Ghezi ◽

Mitra Eftekhariyazdi ◽

Forough Mortazavi

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Unwanted Pregnancy ◽

Health Centers ◽

Poor Health ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Pregnancy Anxiety ◽

History Of ◽

In Pregnancy

Background: Pregnancy anxiety that threatens maternal mental health has a negative impact on pregnancy outcomes and can develop even in a healthy pregnant woman with no depression or anxiety problems. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate pregnancy anxiety and its related factors in pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 322 pregnant women who were registered at health centers from November 2018 to March 2018. A random sampling method was applied to select eight health centers in the city. Using the SIB system, 40 pregnant women were randomly selected in each center. Selected women who came to health centers to receive prenatal care filled out the revised version of the Farsi anxiety scale for pregnancy (F-ASP-R). Inclusion criteria were, having the ability to read and lack of psychological disorders requiring treatment. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 18 and student t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analyses. Results: The mean score of the F-ASP-R was 32.63 ± 8.9 out of 56, and 49.7% of the study participants scored below the average. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the F-ASP-R was 0.867. Multiple regression analyses showed that unwanted pregnancy (P = 0.008), a history of hospitalization in pregnancy (P = 0.044), lack of knowledge about analgesia during labor (P = 0.019), a history of dysmenorrhea (P < 0.001), poor spousal emotional support (P = 0.001), and perceived poor health (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors of pregnancy anxiety. Conclusions: Intervention is necessary to reduce pregnancy anxiety in women with an unwanted pregnancy, a history of dysmenorrhea or hospitalization in pregnancy, poor spousal emotional support, and perceived poor health.

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