Maternal Research Articles

Genetic differentiation and historical dynamics of the endemic species Rheum pumilum on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau inferred from phylogeography implications

BackgroundRheum pumilum, an endemic species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), serves as an ideal material for investigating the phylogeography of alpine plants. This study employs chloroplast DNA fragments (trnL-F, trnS-G, and matK) to delve into how Rh. pumilum adapted to the extreme environmental changes on the QTP, during its evolutionary process through phylogenetic geographical analysis, revealing its population differentiation and historical dynamics.ResultsThe examination of 39 haplotypes across 26 populations of Rh. pumilum reveals distinct regional distribution, reflecting a phylogeographic pattern resembling “alpine-island”. The total genetic diversity of Rh. pumilum is remarkably high (Ht = 0.910), with the majority of genetic variation primarily occurred among populations (84.5%) with limited gene flow, indicating geographic isolation influenced by diverse habitats of plateau. The geographic isolation model is further supported by various analytical methods, including AMOVA analysis, UPGMA dendrogram, PCoA, Structure analysis, and Mantel test. Micro-refugia for Rh. pumilum during the Quaternary ice ages are supported by haplotype network and genetic diversity analysis. The absence of a typical “star-shape” pattern in the overall haplotype network suggests that Rh. pumilum likely maintains a stable state without experiencing rapid expansion, which has been supported by mismatch distribution analysis. Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) indicates sensitivity of Rh. pumilum to humidity, temperature and altitude, aligning with a historical distribution resembling a “displacement refugia” model during the Quaternary ice ages. The involvement of Rh. kialense and Rh. sublanceolatum in the origin and gene introgression of Rh. pumilum is suggested, possibly as maternal ancestors of closely related haplotypes. Haplotype divergence of Rh. pumilum approximately 11 million years ago, with notable divergence peaks observed during the late Miocene, as well as the Pliocene, Pleistocene and Holocene.ConclusionThese findings suggest a correlation between genetic diversity, haplotype lineage divergence and key geological and climatic events, notably the uplift of the QTP, monsoon climate changes, and the climatic oscillations during the Quaternary ice ages. This study might provide valuable insights into the formation mechanisms of plant diversity on the QTP, crucial for biodiversity conservation and sustainable species development in extreme environments.

"Is This the Family Path?": Understanding the Lived Experience of Motherhood for Women Who Have Lost Their Own Mother to Suicide.

For daughters who have lost their mother to suicide, resurgences of grief may occur, triggered by anniversaries, family occasions, and by entering motherhood. When these women become mothers, they must adjust to the joys and stressors of motherhood, without the emotional and practical support that a maternal grandmother would often provide. This study provides an in-depth qualitative exploration of the experiences of women who have experienced their own mother suicide. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of five mothers who have experienced their mother suicide. Data were collected and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Analysis revealed five group experiential themes: lacking a guiding maternal figure, navigating identity and expectations, carrying the legacy of maternal suicide, motherhood as healing, and the trajectory:is this the family path?. This study identifies key challenges and specific needs of mothers who have experienced their mother suicide.

P-898. Reproducible profiling of eight Brazilian infectious diseases specialist training sites through open databases

Abstract Background Many factors influence the choice of a specialty and a residency training site after essential medical education, including hospital characteristics. We set out to explore characteristics of infectious diseases (ID) and pediatric ID training sites in one Brazilian state, aiming to provide a data-driven input into residency site choice. Number of hospitalizations and age and sex of patients (A) Absolute number of hospitalizations per institution in the 10-year period, and (B) proportion of hospitalizations in each institution along the years. (C) Violin plots of ages for each institution with the same maximum width, and inner boxplots with width proportional to hospitalization count. (D) Frequency plots of male and female patients hospitalized in each institution, with (E) corresponding area plots adding to 100% for every age. Methods We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of hospitalizations in institutions which offer ID and/or peds ID medical training, using Ministry of Health openly available hospitalization databases as sources. We used R software version 4.3.1 for analysis to ensure reproducibility. Procedures performed, length of hospital stay and intensive care unit costs per institution (A) Proportion of diagnostic, clinical, surgical and transplant procedures carried out in each hospital. (B) Proportion of specialty associated with hospital bed used for each hospitalization. (C) Violin plots of days of hospital stay for each institution. (D) Violin plots of total ICU costs (US dollars, log scale) in each hospitalization for each hospital; (E) the same plot, after removing COVID hospitalizations. Results Eight institutions from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) fit the criteria and had available data. From January 2013 to December 2022, they carried out 583,362 hospitalizations. Two hospitals (HGNI, HUPE) accounted for 56.6% of these. The hospitals with peds ID positions (IPPMG, IFF) have different age distributions because one also admits birthing mothers. Most admissions were due to clinical or surgical procedures, with a minority cataloged as diagnostic procedures or cell, tissue and organ transplants. Most patients were discharged within 7 days. HUCFF had the highest proportion of diagnostic and transplant procedures (1.88% and 2.12%, respectively). On average, university hospitals are paid 2∼3 times as much as other institutions per hospitalization. Overall disease burden was diverse, but INI stood out as a center for HIV care. Proportions of ICD-10 chapters or subchapters as leading causes of hospitalization Heatmaps with unsupervised clustering of ICD-10 chapter or subchapter frequency as leading cause of hospitalization, for all hospitalizations (A), for hospitalizations filed under “clinical treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases” or “clinical treatment of HIV/AIDS” (B), or for hospitalizations filed under ICD-10 chapters I or VI (C). Conclusion Hospitals in RJ with ID and peds ID residency spots have distinct workloads, patient profiles, disease burden and government-paid income. Residents from these programs might express similar views, but they do not necessarily reflect the widest picture, and might not be accessible to all interested candidates. Although subjectivity should not be discarded when choosing a training site, open data can inform more precise, transparent distinctions. For example, candidates interested in transplant ID could be more inclined to choose HUCFF, while candidates interested in less complex care could opt for HGNI. The framework we provide can also be employed to analyze other programs and hospitals, such as surgical residencies. Not all hospitals with residency positions feed these databases, thus limiting our analysis. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Use of Practices to Reduce of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death among Caregivers of Opioid Exposed Newborns.

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) occurs disproportionately among opioid exposed newborns (OENs) compared to those unexposed. The extent that primary caregivers of OENs adhere to SUID-reducing infant care practices is unknown. We examined rates of SUID-reducing practices (smoking cessation, breastfeeding, and safe sleep [supine sleep, room-sharing not bed-sharing, nonuse of soft bedding or objects]) in a pilot sample of caregivers of OENs. We surveyed 50 English-speaking mothers and other primary caregivers of OENs 1-6 months old between 02/2022 and 10/2023. We examined prenatal and postnatal cigarette smoking exposure, breastfeeding initiation and duration, and sleep position (side, back, or stomach), sleep location (bed-sharing, room-sharing not bed-sharing, or separate room), and soft bedding or objects in the infant sleep space. Thirty-six (72%) of 50 respondents were birth mothers and 14/50 (28%) were other caregivers. Sixty-one percent of infants were exposed to cigarette smoking prenatally (mothers only) and 34% postnatally (41% mothers vs 14% other caregivers). Sixty percent of infants received breast milk ≤4 weeks. Among respondents, 32% placed infants in nonsupine sleep position (36% mothers vs 21% other caregivers), 38% shared a bed with their infant for sleep (47% mothers vs 14% other caregivers), and 30% used soft bedding in the infant sleep space (33% among mothers vs 21% among other caregivers). Infant care practices associated with SUID were highly prevalent in our pilot sample of OENs and differed among mothers versus other caregivers. Further investigation and tailored approaches to this population are needed.

미디어 리터러시 함양 프로그램이 영유아와 어머니의 상호작용 및 양육효능감에 미치는 영향

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a media literacy program on mother–infant interactions and parenting efficacy. The subjects were mothers of infants and toddlers residing in the southeastern region of Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were divided into the experimental and control groups, with 20 mothers in each group. The experimental group participated in a media literacy program comprising 10 sessions, each lasting 3 h. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, mean and standard deviation analyses were performed, and data were collected and analyzed using SPSS WIN 29.0. The pretest scores were controlled as covariates, and the posttest scores were compared between the two groups using analysis of covariance. The results showed significant improvements in mother–infant interactions, particularly in positive and verbal engagements. Furthermore, enhancements were observed in parenting efficacy, specifically in areas of communication and the ability to raise healthy children. These findings highlight the potential value of media literacy cultivation programs for mothers, suggesting their high utility and effectiveness as a targeted intervention. The results can serve as foundational data for the development and implementation of practical media literacy programs aimed at enhancing mater nal capabilities and strengthening mother–infant bonds.

Telling stories that cannot be told: remembering mothers and daughters in métis narratives from Rwanda

ABSTRACT On the eve of independence in Ruanda-Urundi, hundreds of Métis children were taken from Catholic missions and flown to Belgium where they would be fostered, adopted, or sent to local boarding schools. These illegitimate children of white European fathers and Black African mothers were viewed by the colonial authorities as ‘children of sin’. Most of the Métis never saw their birth mothers again and remained illegitimate, unacknowledged by their white European fathers. In 2019, the Belgian government issued a formal apology for the abduction of these children but, for almost sixty years, the stories of the Métis and their mothers had been conveniently forgotten. This article discusses creative attempts to tell the missing stories of the Métis and their mothers by two mixed-‘race’ authors born in Rwanda: Georges Kamanayo, also a filmmaker, was removed from his mother in the late 1950s and taken to Belgium for adoption; Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse imagines the story of an ageing Métis woman with dementia in her novel, Consolée. Drawing on Saidiya Hartman’s concept of ‘critical fabulation’, we consider the role of creative works in repositioning Métis mothers and daughters at the centre of their own history and telling stories that cannot be told.

Mother-Daughter Relationship In Preeti Shenoy’s When Love Came Calling: A Study Using The Framework Of Social Action Theory

Parents have a vital role in forming a child's character, and one of the most unique relationships a person can have is between a mother and her daughter. The greatest blessing a woman can receive in her life is to become a mother, and the most invaluable relationship she may cultivate is with her daughter. The bond between a mother and daughter is distinctive as they can function as best friends, competitors, partners in mischief, and companions at different times. A mother consistently offers unwavering support to her daughter, regardless of the circumstances. Moreover, as the daughter matures, she becomes her mother's close confidante, fostering a unique bond that they cherish together. A mother sees her own childhood, innocence, fears, past experiences, adolescence, and love reflected in her daughter. She can always act as her daughter's greatest role model, sharing crucial lessons necessary for thriving and achieving success. A mother's words provide the most potent comfort, support, and motivation. However, there are instances when the dynamics between a mother and daughter can become complicated and may grow challenging as the daughter reaches maturity. Any unhealthy patterns that develop in their relationship can harm their connection and adversely affect the friendship and closeness that are vital components of it. This analysis seeks to explore the mother-daughter dynamic in the novel When Love Came Calling by Preeti Shenoy. Given the significant influence maternal figures have in teaching life lessons and essential emotions such as empathy, kindness, and love, this relationship can serve as the foundation for societal functioning. A "healthy" mother-daughter bond fosters intimacy and closeness while also permitting independence and space. This dynamic changes at each phase of life, from childhood to adulthood.

Super-Charlies mamma

Theme: Motherhood and Mothering. Ill. ©Stina Wirsén Super-Charlie’s Mum: Public Mothers, Adult Address, and Parasocial Relationships in Contemporary Swedish Picturebooks This article examines contemporary Swedish celebrity picturebooks in which the central characters share names with the children of the authors. The focus is on the relationship between the authors’ public personas and the maternal figures depicted in the books, as well as the ways in which such publications can be understood from a book market perspective. The analysis includes Margaux Dietz’ books about Arnold (2020–2021), Marie Serneholt’s books about Nico and Phille (2020–2021), and Camilla Läckberg’s first instalment in the Super-Charlie series (2011–). The rise of celebrity-authored children’s books has been a notable trend in the Anglo-American publishing industry, with parallel developments emerging in Sweden. The symbiotic relationship between celebrities eager to publish children’s literature and publishers seeking to capitalize on public figures is key to understanding the mechanisms that drive the production of such books. By integrating theoretical frameworks from children’s literature research, motherhood studies, and sociology of literature, this article demonstrates the value of a multifaceted disciplinary approach when analyzing the contemporary Swedish children’s book market. The article explores the adult address created by references to the authors’ actual lives — visible through texts, paratexts, and illustrations — which are primarily accessible to the adult reader. This phenomenon reflects the parasocial relationships that these books utilize to engage readers. As a result, different approaches to motherhood can be discerned: as a carer, a role-model, or a playfully distant star author. These variations of the literary mother figure comment on the authors’ public personas for the benefit of the adult readers, which in turn showcase the commercial possibilities surrounding motherhood, online and on the book market.

ANIE'S CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND PSYCHOPATHY BEHAVIOUR IN LUCINDA BERRY’S NOVEL "THE PERFECT CHILD"

This research aims to analyze the connection between childhood trauma and the behavior of one of the characters, Janie, in The Perfect Child novel by Lucinda Berry. This study employed a qualitative method and used Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis theory to obtain a deeper understanding, particularly the defense mechanisms and the tripartite model (id, ego, and superego). The study finds that there is an imbalance in Janie's personality structure that was caused by her childhood trauma, in particular, abuse and neglect that have been done by her birth mother, Becky. Thus, Janie's trauma triggered her psychological behavior, which tends to refer to signs of a child at risk of psychopathy, such as; aggression towards animals or pets, cheating on friends or enemies, or individuals who are neutral and bullying other children. Subsequently, due to Janie's trauma of her birth mother, she defends herself around women. Especially those who resemble mother figures.

Mitigating the Impact of Intergenerational Risk Factors on Stunting: Insights From Seven of the Most Food Insecure Districts in South Africa.

A large body of research investigates the determinants of stunting in young children, but few studies have considered which factors are the most important predictors of stunting. We examined the relative importance of predictors of height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) and stunting among children under 5 years of age in seven of the most food-insecure districts in South Africa using data from the Grow Great Community Stunting Survey of 2022. We used dominance analysis and variable importance measures from conditional random forest models to assess the relative importance of predictors. We found that intergenerational and socioeconomic factors-specifically maternal height (HAZ: Coef. 0.02, 95% CI 0.01-0.03; stunting: OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), birth weight (HAZ: Coef. 0.3, 95% CI 0.16-0.43; stunting: OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.35-0.72) and asset-based measures of socioeconomic status (HAZ: Coef. 0.17, 95% CI 0.10-0.24; stunting: OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.89)-were the most important predictors of HAZ and stunting in these districts. We explored whether any other factors moderated (weakened) the relationship between these intergenerational factors and child height using conditional inference trees and moderation analysis. We found that being on track for vitamin A and deworming, adequate sanitation, a diverse diet and good maternal mental health moderated the effect of birth weight or mother's height. Though impacts are likely to be small relative to the impact of intergenerational risk factors, these moderating factors may provide promising avenues for helping to mitigate the intergenerational transmission of stunting risk in South Africa.

Insights from genesis stories of Tamu (Gurung) of Nepal and Naxi of Yunnan (China)

The existence of myths or folktales about origins among various communities and societies are subjects of academic discourse. These stories are observable among people, as they offer believers explanation that fulfill their cultural and spiritual needs. Academically, they provide valuable insights for comparative analysis. This article examines the origin stories prevalent among the Tamu (the Gurungs) of Nepal and the Naxi ethnic minority in China's Yunnan province. The Tamu story postulates their origin can be traced back to the mythical Khe Ku (nine paternal ancestors) and Mhā Ngi (seven maternal ancestors). Similarly, the Naxi story features nine paternal and seven maternal progenitors despite the fact that these communities being located in different countries and speaking distinct languages. While further studies are needed, the genetic affinity between the Naxi community and the Tamu community (and other indigenous nationalities of Nepal) suggests that the inhabitants of this region embody contemporary manifestations of a shared prehistoric lineage or horde.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Technology-Based Distal Interventions for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Postpartum anxiety and depression are common in new parents. While effective interventions exist, they are often delivered in person, which can be a barrier for some parents seeking help. One approach to overcoming these barriers is the delivery of evidence-based self-help interventions via websites, smartphone apps, and other digital media. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based distal interventions in reducing or preventing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety in male and female birth and adoptive parents, explore the effectiveness of technology-based distal interventions in increasing social ties, and determine the level of adherence to and satisfaction with technology-based distal interventions. A systematic review and series of meta-analyses were conducted. Three electronic bibliographic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating technology-based distal interventions for postpartum depression or anxiety in birth and adoptive parents. Searches were updated on August 1, 2023, before conducting the final meta-analyses. Data on trial characteristics, effectiveness, adherence, satisfaction, and quality were extracted. Screening and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute quality rating scale for randomized controlled trials. Studies were initially synthesized qualitatively. Where possible, studies were also quantitatively synthesized through 5 meta-analyses. Overall, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, with 14 (78%) providing sufficient data for a meta-analysis. A small significant between-group effect on depression favored the intervention conditions at the postintervention (Cohen d=-0.28, 95% CI -0.41 to -0.15; P<.001) and follow-up (Cohen d=-0.27, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.02; P=.03) time points. A small significant effect on anxiety also favored the intervention conditions at the postintervention time point (Cohen d=-0.29, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.10; P=.002), with a medium effect at follow-up (Cohen d=-0.47, 95% CI -0.88 to -0.05; P=.03). The effect on social ties was not significant at the postintervention time point (Cohen d=0.04, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.21; P=.61). Effective interventions tended to be web-based cognitive behavioral therapy programs with reminders. Adherence varied considerably between studies, whereas satisfaction tended to be high for most studies. Technology-based distal interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety in birth mothers. Key limitations of the reviewed evidence include heterogeneity in outcome measures, studies being underpowered to detect modest effects, and the exclusion of key populations from the evidence base. More research needs to be conducted with birth fathers and adoptive parents to better ascertain the effectiveness of interventions in these populations, as well as to further assess the effect of technology-based distal interventions on social ties. PROSPERO CRD42021290525; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=290525.

Type of Cleft and Socioeconomic Determinants for Increased Caries Risk Among Young Patients With Cleft Lip and/or Palate

This study aimed to identify the predictive role of cleft type, ethnicity, adoption status, spoken language at home and parental education level on the caries risk in the primary dentition of patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). This knowledge is used to make an estimate on increased caries risk in young patients with CL/P. A retrospective analysis of data concerning dental caries and basic characteristics of patients with CL/P was done. Patients were born and registered in 2016, 2017, or 2018 at the cleft team of the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. After Chi-square tests, the cleft type ( P = .02), country of birth father ( P &lt; .001), country of birth mother ( P = .002), parental educational level ( P = .006), and spoken language at home ( P = .002) were significantly different between 144 patients with CL/P with and without caries. Items were used in binary logistic regressions and after stepwise backward elimination resulting in most important determinants for caries in the primary dentition in patients with CL/P being: father born in another country than the Netherlands (odds ratio [OR] = 4.87, P = .001), a cleft lip alveolus and palate phenotype (OR = 3.54, P = .002), and a lower parental educational level (OR = 2.30, P = .04). The recommendation for the dental care professional will be to use these 3 determinants as a first prediction on future dental caries. This helps the dental professional in clinical decisions as recall intervals, referral to specialized dental care and extensiveness of caries prevention strategies and thereby improves oral health of patients born with CL/P.

Support for parents and families after stillbirth and neonatal death.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To identify and assess the effect of support interventions focused on psychological, social, and emotional outcomes for bereaved parents (including birth and non-birthing mothers, fathers, partners) and family members of parents (e.g. grandparents; siblings) who have experienced stillbirth or neonatal death.

Decomposing social groups differential in stunting among children under five in India using nationally representative sample data

Stunting among children is a reflection of the chronic malnutrition caused by a complex set of behavioural, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. This long-term detrimental exposure to chronic malnutrition is disproportionately higher among social and economically deprived groups, leading to significant differentials in the prevalence of stunting across various social strata. Therefore, this study investigates the inequality of social groups in terms of the prevalence of stunting across Schedule Caste (SC)-Scheduled Tribe (ST) and non-SC-ST. The study used 1,93,886 children’s data aged 0–59 months from the recent round of the National Family Health Survey. Descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression, F-test, t-test and chi-squared (χ²) test were applied to understand the prevalence, determinants, and associations, respectively. The Fairlie decomposition model was applied to quantify the factors contributing to the inequality of stunting across social groups. The results revealed that the prevalence of stunting was higher among SC-ST (39.60%) children compared to non-SC-ST (33.27%). In addition, children aged 15–30 months (AOR: 1.895, 95% CI: 1.843–1.949), and male (AOR: 1.074, 95% CI: 1.053–1.095), mothers had lower BMI (AOR: 1.543, 95% CI: 1.492–1.595), mothers who had no education (AOR: 1.595, 95% CI: 11.532–1.662), belongs to poorest wealth index (AOR: 1.857, 95% CI: 1.766–1.952), and the children belong to the household with unhygienic satiation practices (AOR: 1.097, 95% CI: 1.070–1.123) were more likely to be stunted. The decomposition results revealed that the variables included in the study could explain 68.9% of the stunting inequality between SC-ST and non-SC-ST groups. The household’s wealth index is found to be a leading factor, which contributed nearly 41.3% of total stunting inequality exists between these two groups, followed by mothers’ education (12.86%) and mothers’ BMI (11.02%), sanitation facilities (4.26%), children’s birth order (3.32%) and mother’s type of delivery (1.49%). These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions. Prioritizing policies that address household economic enhancement, women’s education and empowerment can be instrumental in reducing social group inequality and lowering the overall prevalence of stunting. Ensuring access to improved hygienic sanitation facilities in the household is equally important for achieving better health outcomes for the children.

Does unintended birth lead to zero dose of DPT vaccine among children aged 12–23 months in India?

ABSTRACT Zero-dose children pose a key challenge in immunization programs due to their association with access to the health system and primary healthcare services. Examining zero-dose aids an in-depth understanding of healthcare disparities among children and caregivers. The disparity in utilization of maternal and child health services raises concerns about the potential consequences of unintended pregnancies on vaccine uptake. The National Family Health Survey 2019–21 (NFHS-5) served as the data source, and the study analyzed information from 43,247 children aged 12–23 months. Sociodemographic variables such as birth order, wealth quintile, gender, social group, religion, residence, mother education, and delivery-related factors were considered. Statistical analysis involved weighted estimates, chi-square tests, and multivariate multinomial logistic regression. The results show that 9.14% of children from unintended pregnancies were zero-dose for the DPT vaccine, compared to only 6.69% of children from intended pregnancies in India, indicating a higher prevalence of zero-dose associated with unintended pregnancies. The regression analysis shows the adjusted odds among children from an unintended birth − 1.21 times higher for the zero-dose DPT vaccine as compared to the intended birth (AOR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06,1.38). Zero-dose immunization has become a crucial metric of childhood immunization performance, gaining prominence in national agendas, the IA 2030 framework, and Gavi’s 2021–25 strategy. The study findings highlight a significant association between unintended pregnancy and zero-dose DPT vaccination. The results provide compelling evidence that unintended pregnancies could be a potential risk factor for zero-dose DPT vaccination in low- and middle-income countries.

Post-Adoption Perinatal Grief and Parenting Future Children in the Home: The Moderating Roles of Social Support and Parental Substance Use

SYNOPSIS Objective. The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to examine the impact of birth mother’s post-adoption perinatal grief—stemming from ambiguous loss—on their perceptions of their parenting years later and the relationship quality they have with the children who they raise, and (b) to evaluate the potential contribution that social support and substance use severity play in moderating the impact of post-adoption perinatal grief. Design. We applied an adoption design that consisted of a sample of birth mothers (N = 53) who placed one child for adoption at birth and parented another child in their home following the voluntary adoption placement of the adoptee. At 3–6 months postpartum of the adopted child, we measured birth mother’s post-adoption perinatal grief, substance use severity, and level of social support received by their friends, family, and community. When the birth mother’s child was raising at home reached age 7, birth mothers reported on their relationships with that child, including parent–child conflict, parent–child closeness, parenting satisfaction, and sense of efficacy as a parent. Results. Findings revealed that high post-adoption perinatal grief was associated with increased parent–child conflict. High post-adoption perinatal grief was also associated with low parenting satisfaction, albeit this effect was mitigated in the context of high social support. Conclusions. Findings suggest that grief following adoption may result in effects that are sustained years later, including compromised relationships and low parenting satisfaction with the child they later raise, although social support may mitigate the potential negative effects of post-adoption perinatal grief on parental satisfaction. Future work should examine the mechanisms linking post-adoption perinatal grief with future parenting.

“I was not a nobody, but no one knew what I was”: A Mother’s Reclamation of her Story in Madhavi S. Mahadevan’s Bride of the Forest

The ideological stronghold of mythology in the cultural consciousness necessitates the production of counter-ideologies that decenter the normative narrative with more subversive and progressive tales. The story of Madhavi from the Indian epic Mahabharata is upheld as a tale of a devoted daughter who is blessed with a privileged womb, which is prophesied to give birth to great kings, and a boon of chirkaumya, the ability to regain virginity. Devoid of any rights over her own body, Madhavi becomes instrumental for Gaalav, the disciple of Vishwamitra, in fulfilling his promise of eight hundred white horses with black-colored left ears as gurudakshina (tradition of repaying one’s teacher) to his teacher. Her womb is bartered, allowing men to exchange her indefinitely as a commodity with utilitarian value. Her voice, desires and feelings are undermined by the structural needs of the masculine tale. This paper seeks to read the novel Bride of the Forest by Madhavi. S. Mahadevan in the context of motherhood studies and postfeminism through the examination of the character Madhavi. It inquires into the representation of the maternal figures who are mapped on a power spectrum to posit that both agency and victimhood co-exist in uncomfortable ways.

In Utero Exposure to Maternal COVID-19 and Offspring Neurodevelopment Through Age 24 Months

In utero exposure to maternal infections has been associated with abnormal neurodevelopment among offspring. The emergence of a new, now endemic infection (SARS-CoV-2) warrants investigating developmental implications for exposed offspring. To assess whether in utero exposure to maternal COVID-19 is associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental scores among children ages 12, 18, and 24 months. Data were ascertained from the ASPIRE (Assessing the Safety of Pregnancy in the Coronavirus Pandemic) trial, a prospective cohort of pregnant individuals aged 18 years or older who were enrolled before 10 weeks' gestation and their children. Individuals were recruited online from May 14, 2020, to August 23, 2021, using the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and BabyCenter, an online media platform. Participants from all 50 states and Puerto Rico completed activities remotely. In utero exposure to COVID-19. Birth mothers completed the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition, a validated screening tool for developmental delays, at 12, 18, and 24 months' post partum. A score below the cutoff in any domain (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and social skills) was considered an abnormal developmental screen (scores range from 0 to 60 in each domain, with higher scores indicating less risk for neurodevelopmental delay). The cohort included 2003 pregnant individuals (mean [SD] age, 33.3 [4.2] years) enrolled before 10 weeks' gestation and who completed study activities; 1750 (87.4%) had earned a college degree. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were available for 1757 children at age 12 months, 1522 at age 18 months, and 1523 at age 24 months. The prevalence of abnormal screens for exposed vs unexposed offspring at age 12 months was 64 of 198 (32.3%) vs 458 of 1559 (29.4%); at age 18 months, 36 of 161 (22.4%) vs 279 of 1361 (20.5%); and at age 24 months, 29 of 151 (19.2%) vs 230 of 1372 (16.8%). In an adjusted mixed-effects logistics regression model, no difference in risk of abnormal neurodevelopmental screens was observed at age 12 months (adjusted risk ratio [ARR], 1.07 [95% CI, 0.85-1.34]), age 18 months (ARR, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.84-1.57]), or age 24 months (ARR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.69-1.48]). Supplemental analyses did not identify differential risk based on trimester of infection, presence vs absence of fever, or breakthrough infection following vaccination vs primary infection. In this cohort study of pregnant individuals and offspring, exposure to maternal COVID-19 was not associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental screening results through 24 months' post partum. Continued study of diverse groups of children is needed because, among other factors, evidence suggests sensitivity of the developing fetal brain to maternal immune activation.

Hubungan Intensitas Nyeri dengan Produksi ASI Padaibu Post Sectio Caesariadi RSUD Perdagangan Kecamatan Bandar Kabupaten Simalungun Tahun 2022

Sectio caesarea is a solution for handling births with complications, Sectio Caesaria in Indonesia every year deliveries with sectio caesaria are increasing. Surgical procedures such as Sectio Caesaria are actions that cause tension (stress) because this action involves removing the fetus through the abdomen (Laparotomy) which requires an incision into the uterus (Hysterotomy). The aim of this research is to find out the relationship between pain intensity and breast milk production in post-cesarean section mothers at RSUD. Data analysis using univariate, bivariate analysis. The results of this study show that there is a significant relationship between pain intensity and breast milk production in post-cesarean mothers at the Bandarkar Subdistrict, Simalungun District Trade Hospital in 2022. It can be used as a source of information for mothers who are about to give birth and postpartum mothers to know about description of the intensity of pain in mothers post Sectio Caesaria at the Trade Hospital which causes disruption in breast milk production.