Perinatal Care

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal major depressive disorder affects 20% of women, while perinatal anxiety affects 10% of women. Although pharmacological treatment has shown effectiveness, many pregnant women are concerned about potential adverse effects on the fetus, maternal-infant bonding, and child development. Approximately 38% of American adults use complementary and alternative medicine, including yoga and other mind-body strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal major depressive disorder affects 20% of women, while perinatal anxiety affects 10% of women. Although pharmacological treatment has shown effectiveness, many pregnant women are concerned about potential adverse effects on the fetus, maternal-infant bonding, and child development. Approximately 38% of American adults use complementary and alternative medicine, including yoga and other mind-body strategies.

BACKGROUND: National statistics related specifically to the mental health of women in the perinatal period is poorly acknowledged in Australia. Maternal deaths related to mental health in the perinatal period can be attributed to a lack of appropriate treatment and/or support. A barrier to women's help-seeking behaviors is the lack of discrete, perinatal specific interventions where women can self-assess and access support. AIM: This review examines original research evaluating perinatal mental health interventions used by women to improve mental health.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal stress is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Mindfulness training may offer a safe and acceptable strategy to support perinatal mental health. AIM: To critically appraise and synthesise the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness training during pregnancy to support perinatal mental health. METHODS: The search for relevant studies was conducted in six electronic databases and in the grey literature. Eligible studies were assessed for methodological quality according to standardised critical appraisal instruments.

Perinatal mental health difficulties are associated with adverse consequences for parents and infants. However, the potential risks associated with the use of psychotropic medication for pregnant and breastfeeding women and the preferences expressed by women for non-pharmacological interventions mean it is important to ensure that effective psychological interventions are available.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in labour. SEARCH METHODS: studies were identified from a search of the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (November 2008). SELECTION CRITERIA: randomised controlled trials comparing women receiving TENS for pain relief in labour vs routine care or placebo devices. All types of TENS machines were included.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in labour. SEARCH METHODS: studies were identified from a search of the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (November 2008). SELECTION CRITERIA: randomised controlled trials comparing women receiving TENS for pain relief in labour vs routine care or placebo devices. All types of TENS machines were included.

Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) set a goal of reducing birth injuries throughout the system. Although the number of injuries was small, clinical and risk leadership agreed that even one injury is too many. Through a multidisciplinary partnership to initiate perinatal bundles, the CHI Perinatal Care Collaborative was able to continue the reduction of injuries each year.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between perinatal psychiatric disorders and the use of effective contraceptive methods among postpartum women served by primary care clinics has not been established. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study with 831 pregnant women recruited from 10 primary care clinics of the public sector in S„o Paulo followed up to 18 months after delivery. RESULTS: Among 701 postpartum women, 644 women (91.8%) had resumed sexual activity. Two hundred fifty-three women (39.2%) were classified as using a less effective contraception method (LECM).

BACKGROUND: Women born outside Australia make up more than a fifth of the Queensland birthing population and like migrants in other parts of the world face the challenges of cultural dislocation and possible language barriers. Recognising that labour and birth are major life events the aim was to investigate the experiences of these women in comparison to native-born English speaking women. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from a population based survey of women who had recently birthed in Queensland.