Overall, this was a well-designed and careful study with important findings for women of a child-bearing age who may be sensitive to hormonal changes in reference to their depression.
Predicting the course and complications of perinatal depression through the identification of clinical subtypes has been previously undertaken using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and has the potential to improve the precision of care and improve outcomes for women and their children. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.2893?af=R
Healthcare professionals need increased awareness and knowledge of the risk of perinatal mental illnesses among migrant women, and mental health should be routinely discussed in maternity and other healthcare services that serve women who are migrants.
This review, alongside evidence of the barriers marginalised women face when accessing perinatal mental healthcare (Pilav et al., 2022), demonstrates the importance of ensuring that prospective service investment and development projects make provisions for marginalised mothers. This is especially important considering recent investment in perinatal mental health services through the NHS Long Term Plan, to ensure all mothers are adequately supported. Example provisions include: training on stigma and culturally competent approaches for professionals, or adapted interventions which are co-produced by lived experience experts (Darwin et al., 2022; Pilav et al., 2022).
The prevalence of postnatal depression in fathers is likely to be close to the prevalence of postnatal depression in mothers. Beyond the detrimental consequences for the father, paternal postnatal depression negatively affects the well-being of the mother and the development of the child. Paternal postnatal depression is not commonly understood and there is a lack of assessment and support for new fathers experiencing mental health issues, but the importance of paternal mental health is increasingly recognised. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
There is increasing interest in the role of choline in brain development, including its possible role in promoting mental health and preventing mental illness. Choline is an essential micronutrient in fetal brain maturation. In more than 90% of pregnant women, choline intake has been found to be lower than the daily-recommended dose. The aim of this article is to review what is known about the effects of maternal choline supplementation on fetal brain development, early child development and mental health. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Mother and father depression symptoms often co-occur, and together can have a substantial impact on child emotional well-being. Little is understood about symptom-level mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of depression symptoms within families. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Besides the moderation analyses, the study provides further evidence for the association of prenatal stress and children’s subsequent psychopathological symptoms. It therefore emphasises the need for early supportive interventions aimed at mothers who report a high burden of prenatal stressors. The reduction of modifiable prenatal stressors (e.g. lack of social support, work stress, burden of internalising symptoms, substance consumption) would likely have long-lasting positive effects on children’s mental health and might be feasible within the scope of interventions targeting mothers’ well-being. Such interventions could include support groups for pregnant mothers or short-team (maybe even group- or internet-based) cognitive behavioural interventions.
Population-level screening for parental childhood maltreatment could be a tool to identify families who might be in need of support to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in children. This could also be useful in terms of safeguarding since research has found that parents with a history of childhood maltreatment (particularly emotional or physical abuse) had a higher risk of abusing their own children (Bert et al., 2009), as well as higher levels of anger, and more violent physical discipline toward infants (Altemeier et al., 1986).
Previous research has suggested that some women are at increased risk of postpartum depression (PPD) because of an extra sensitivity to fluctuating hormones before and after parturition. This may particularly apply to women with endocrine disease, characterised by a less than optimal capability to self-regulate the hormonal feedback system. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
it suggests that there is an emerging evidence base for the use of CBT for perinatal depression specifically. The finding that different formats of CBT (e.g., in person and remote) are effective is especially relevant, considering recent changes in how clinical care is delivered as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, though it is worth noting that internet-based interventions were associated with the highest attrition rate.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have increased pre-existing inequalities and risk factors for mental disorders in general, but perinatal mental disorders are of particular concern. They are already underdiagnosed and undertreated, and this has been magnified by the pandemic. Access to services (both psychiatric and obstetric) has been reduced, and in-person contact has been restricted because of the increased risks. Rates of perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms have increased. In the face of these challenges, clear guidance in perinatal mental health is needed for patients and clinicians.
Women are predisposed to maternal depression due to childbirth difficulties and parenting responsibilities, leading to long-term negative consequences on their children. The uptake of mental healthcare by British mothers of African/Caribbean origin is low due to the lack of access to culturally appropriate care. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study identified elevated rates of depression and anxiety in pregnant individuals, as measured during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though elevated insomnia and sleep problems were reported, they did not differ significantly from pre-COVID pregnancy samples.
Financial difficulties, social isolation, risk of COVID-19 infection, and relationship difficulties experienced as a result of the pandemic were found to be related to elevated mental health symptoms. Results also indicated a detrimental effect of negative cognitive appraisal and a protective effect of greater access to social support.
These results highlight the impact of the pandemic on the wellbeing of pregnant individuals, and indicate areas for focus when developing intervention and support measures.
Body weight perinatal depression - Sarah Nicholson summarises a systematic review of pre-pregnancy BMI and the risk of antenatal and postnatal depression.
Animal studies indicate a key role for vitamin D in brain development and function, but observational studies in humans only suggests a borderline positive association between prenatal vitamin D exposure and cognitive development in the offspring. Knowledge gaps include insights in exposure time window and differences by sex for the association. We aimed to investigate the association between blood concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D measured at four different time points and intelligence quotient score at the age of 7 years, including analyses spilt by child sex. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Perinatal anxiety affects 20% of women, and untreated maternal mental illness can cause deleterious effects for women and their children. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. The reported risk of congenital malformations after in utero benzodiazepine exposure has been inconsistent. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Lived experience is increasingly viewed as an important means of informing mental health practice. In this case, the lived experience narrative comes from a father who experienced postnatal depression (PND). Yet, whilst men are increasingly sharing their experiences of PND in the public sphere, there have been limited advances in their quality of care and support during the perinatal period. Services for perinatal mental health problems are targeted towards mothers, with fathers not traditionally being seen as experiencing perinatal mental health problems. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Perfectionism is an important feature of adult psychopathology. In the absence of a prior review of the role of perfectionism in perinatal psychopathology, we aimed to ascertain whether perfectionism was associated with symptoms of maternal perinatal depression and anxiety.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with longer term cardiovascular risk. Understanding if depression or antidepressant use in pregnancy is associated with HDP is important in identifying those potentially vulnerable to poorer health in later life. This study examines if depression and antidepressants are associated with HDP.To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
"while grief is a natural reaction to experiencing loss, symptoms of depression and anxiety may be mitigated by improved community support. Overcoming the taboo and encouraging open conversations about loss can reduce isolation and allow families to acknowledge the impact. This can reduce stigma or shame, enhance peer support from others with similar experiences, and provide a language to talk about what’s happened to process the experience. This type of support is currently being offered by organisations such as SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) and the Miscarriage Association. Widening this support to include health services and other community contexts may further improve outcomes for families and reduce the likelihood of developing mental health difficulties."
The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the experience of grief felt by fathers when facing perinatal loss. A father’s grief and loss are frequently unrecognized and underappreciated by healthcare professionals who customarily attend only to the needs of mothers. Open access article- no login needed
Suicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality. Suicidality during and around the time of pregnancy can have detrimental impacts on a child’s development and outcomes. This paper examines prevalence, demographic characteristics, and timing of initial contact with first responders and health services for a cohort of women who experienced suicidality during and around the time of pregnancy in Queensland, Australia. To read the full article, where necessary, choose “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”. .
This descriptive study aimed to present the characteristics and needs of refugee women who attended a psychosocial walk-in clinic addressing pregnant refugees’ and new mothers’ maternity mental healthcare needs in a state registration and reception centre in Germany. To read the full article, choose “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This paper reports on insights from an evaluation of Birth Companions (BC) (a UK-based charity) perinatal support in two prison settings in England. The initiative involved the provision of group and/or one-to-one perinatal support and training women prisoners as peer supporters. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
The results of the review suggest that psychosocial interventions targeting adolescents in the perinatal period hold some promise for promoting positive mental health and improving school attendance.
Uncertainty surrounds the risks of lithium use during pregnancy in women with bipolar disorder. The authors sought to provide a critical appraisal of the evidence related to the efficacy and safety of lithium treatment during the peripartum period, focusing on women with bipolar disorder and their offspring.. Login at top right hand side of page using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
Health visitors (HVs) help new mothers to cope with mental health problems through support such as ‘listening visits’, but more attention should be paid to how such support can be improved, a survey suggests. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details.
Life after loss is an economic evaluation of the baby loss charity Petals, which provides counselling to women who have experienced the death of a baby and their partners. The evaluation calculates that national provision of counselling to 4,822 mothers would cost £3.17m per annum, which would create a national safety-net of support to help parents at this immensely difficult time. No such service currently operates across England and Wales.
The report highlights that specialist baby loss counselling is inexpensive, effective and reduces government expenditure. This is a rare instance where fiscal prudence and compassion converge.
Open access. Although evidence suggests that the EuroQoL-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and Short Form-6 dimension (SF-6D) have equivalent psychometric properties in people with depression, there is some evidence that the EQ-5D may lack responsiveness in certain populations with depression.
Previous studies suggest that prenatal immune challenges may elevate the risk of schizophrenia and related psychoses in offspring, yet there has been limited research focused on maternal bacterial infection. The authors hypothesized that maternal bacterial infection during pregnancy increases offspring risk of psychotic disorders in adulthood, and that the magnitude of this association varies as a function of severity of infectious exposure and offspring sex.. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details.
The aim of this study was to determine the association between antidepressant (AD) classes, types and duration of use during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Open Access Article
To synthesize research findings regarding the coping experiences of parents following perinatal loss.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
Implications for practice and research:
> Men’s resilience towards the transition to fatherhood should be assessed as part of prenatal preparation for couples expecting their first baby.
> Research on psychological management of postdelivery stress for families of new babies should include interventions on adjustment strategies. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details.
Circadian rhythms are altered in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as showed by changes in circadian patterns of gene expression in the human brain of subjects affected by MDD (1). Circadian rhythms are produced centrally by clock genes and some single nucleotide polymorphisms located in clock genes have been associated with vulnerability to MDD (2). Similarly, one study suggests that clock gene expression in tissues related to pregnancy is altered in mice during pregnancy, although this has not been tested yet in humans (3). No data have been published thus far regarding the expression of clock genes during perinatal depression, while history of depression has been found to be associated with the increased expression of gene CLOCK that would be responsible for an anticipation of the sleep waking rhythms and of late insomnia typical in MDD.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
Postpartum psychosis is one of the severest psychiatric disorders to occur in the postpartum period. If it requires a woman's admission, a psychiatric mother baby unit is recommended, where care will focus on the mother's health, the mother‐baby dyad, and their next of kin. To date, few studies have examined nursing interventions for patients with postpartum psychosis.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
To systematically review and critically evaluate studies reporting alcohol exposure during pregnancy and miscarriage.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
The accuracy of current screening instruments for identification of substance use in pregnancy is unclear, particularly given methodological shortcomings in existing research. This diagnostic accuracy study compared five existing instruments for ability to identify illicit drug, opioid and alcohol use, under privacy expectations consistent with applied practice and using a gold standard incorporating toxicological analysis.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
Limited research exists on the impact of prison mother and baby unit (MBU) residence. Research in the UK suggests women in MBUs have lower prevalence of mental disorder. Higher rates of mother-child attachment for women in prison nurseries in the US have been reported.. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/2HjNDf3
To determine if an electronic nursing intervention during the first six months postpartum was effective in improving mood and decreasing stress.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
To investigate clinically relevant subtypes of perinatal depressive symptoms.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.
Implications for practice and research:
>Healthcare professionals should provide person-centred care to postpartum women with severe mental illness (SMI), promoting their autonomy and the best outcomes for the woman and the child.
>Stigma and negative attitudes towards individuals with SMI can have a detrimental effect on patient care.
>Future research should evaluate interventions that decrease stigma in healthcare professionals caring for women with SMI. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details.
Implications for practice and research
>Midwives increasingly provide important perinatal care but their role in the identification and management of mental illness, one of the most common complications of pregnancy, remains unclear.
>Access to mental healthcare in midwifery is hampered by supply-side barriers and there are also barriers due to the clients’ inability to interact with midwives to optimise access to care
>Research in innovative strategies to train midwives to provide psychosocial and psychological interventions to women with mild-to-moderate symptom severity is needed to ensure timely access to evidence-based treatment and appropriate follow-up. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.