Social Support For Pregnant Women Research Articles

Investigation of the psychological condition of pregnant women of different ages

Objective To investigate the differences of pregnant women of different ages in anxiety,social support and mood status,so as to take this discussion of possible influencing factors during pregnancy,as well as psychological support during pregnancy.Methods Totals of 90 pregnant women in the obstetric clinic were investigated with Beck anxiety inventory (BAI),social support ratting scale (SSRS) to evaluate their anxiety,social support and mood status.Results All the maternal had anxiety and mental problems,which not directly related to age (P ＞ 0.05).Social support of pregnant women more in higher age groups,lower the negative emotions (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant relation was found in the 24-30 age nurses between SSRS score and Jane type mood scale score (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions There are anxiety,social support and mood status problems in pregnant women of different age groups.Old age pregnant women need more psychological support,so mental health education during pregnancy should be combined with community,family and many other factors to improve their utilize of support.And targeted guidance was given according to individual differences. Key words: Data collection; Age group; Psychological status; Psychological condition; Psychological support

Prenatal family support, postnatal family support and postpartum depression

Inadequate social support is an important determinant of postpartum depression (PPD). Social support for pregnant women consists of supports from various sources and can be measured at different gestation periods. Differentiating the effects of social support from different sources and measured at different gestation periods may have important implications in the prevention of PPD. In the family centred Chinese culture, family support is likely to be one of the most important components in social support. The aim of this study was to assess the association of prenatal family support and postnatal family support with PPD. A prospective cohort study was conducted between February and September 2007 in Hunan, China. Family support was measured with social support rating scale at 30-32 weeks of gestation (prenatal support) and again at 2 weeks of postpartum visit (postnatal support). PPD was defined as Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score > or =13. A total of 534 pregnant women were included, and among them, 103 (19.3%) scored 13 or more on the EPDS. PPD was 19.4% in the lowest tertile versus 18.4% in the highest quartile (adjusted odds ratio: 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.60, 1.80) for prenatal support from all family members, and PPD was 39.8% in the lowest tertile versus 9.6% in the highest tertile (adjusted odds ratio: 4.4, 95% confidence interval 2.3, 8.4) for postnatal support from all family members. Among family members, support from husband had the largest impact on the risk of developing PPD. Lack of postnatal family support, especially the support from husband, is an important risk factor of PPD.

The Healthy African American Families' risk communications initiative: using community partnered participatory research to address preterm birth at the local level.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death for African Americans and is significantly associated with lifelong morbidity. Primary prevention efforts using medical strategies to reduce the rates of preterm birth have been unsuccessful. Using community partnered participatory processes, the Healthy African American Families project in Los Angeles developed a multilevel, risk communications strategy to promote awareness about preterm birth in the local community. Participants included community members, community-based organizations, local government, healthcare providers, and national-level advocates. The initiative focused on increasing social support for pregnant women, providing current information on preterm birth risks, and improving quality of health services. The initiative includes components addressing community education, mass media, provider education, and community advocacy. Products include 100 Intentional Acts of Kindness toward a Pregnant Woman, a doorknob brochure on signs and symptoms of preterm labor, and an education manual on preterm birth and other African American health issues. Cooperation, affiliation, and community self-help were key aspects of the planning process and the health promotion products. Additional community benefits included increased leadership and skills development. The process and products described here may be useful in other communities and for addressing other health outcomes in communities of color.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depression in Pregnancy Among Turkish Women

The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence and correlates of depression in pregnancy among Turkish women in Sivas, a semi-urban region consisting partly of people with low or middle socioeconomic status. This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 19 primary health care centers from urban areas of Sivas in Turkey. Two hundred fifty-eight eligible pregnant women were interviewed at their home to gather the study data. A questionnaire was used to determine the socio-demographics and obstetric characteristics of the study sample. The Turkish version of the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to estimate the prevalence of depression. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to determine the social support of pregnant women. We found that with the cutoff of 13, of 258 pregnant women, 71 (27.5%) had prenatal depression. Mean EPDS score of the study population was 9.5 +/- 5.2. We found a significant positive mild-moderate correlation between the EPDS score and maternal age (r = 0.30; P = 0.000). Significant positive mild correlations were found between the EPDS score and gravidity (r = 0.26; P = 0.000) and number of living children (r = 0.15; P = 0.042). There was a significant negative moderate correlation between the EPDS score and perceived social support score (r = -0.43; P = 0.000). The EPDS score of multiparas was significantly higher than that of primiparas (P = 0.000). EPDS scores of women with unplanned pregnancy were higher than those of women with planned pregnancies (P = 0.006). EPDS scores of women with a history of stillbirth were higher than those of women with no history of stillbirth (P = 0.044). Depression is a major public concern that needs to be at the forefront of antenatal assessments in Turkey as in other countries. Health professionals, especially nurses in prenatal settings, are in a unique position to detect antenatal depression. Nurses need to monitor pregnant women for depressive symptoms, especially those who are at increased risk of developing depression.

What can we do for dying neonate in NICU?

Death is not only a medical problem; it is also an ethical problem. When doctors face a dying neonate, their knowledge of bioethics and the opinions of ethical specialists and religious leaders are helpful for them and the family of the dying baby. In recent years, due to the increase of surviving babies who have suffered from severe illness, those born too small or too early, and those with severe anomalies in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we have met with complicated bioethical problems frequently. To lessen the burdens of doctors and the parents of the dying baby, I reviewed medical, ethical and religious articles about bioethics in adult death. My suggestions are listed as follows: 1) regular bioethical education and activation of bioethical committees in NICU, 2) a well-controlled nationwide database, 3) a hospice unit space and programs for dying baby in NICU, and 4) social support for pregnant women and financial support for the NICU.

A Longitudinal Study of Nausea and Vomiting, Fatigue and Perceived Stress in, and Social Support for, Pregnant Women Through the Three Trimesters

Nausea and vomiting (NV), fatigue, stress and social support during pregnancy have been well documented using cross-sectional research designs. However, few studies have addressed the patterns and relationships for these variables using a longitudinal research design. The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of and relationships among NV, fatigue, perceived stress, and social support in pregnant women throughout the three trimesters. A prospective and longitudinal study was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Data were collected on four different measures: the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR), the Visual Analog Fatigue Scale (VAFS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Brief Social Support Questionnaire (BSSQ). A total of 91 pregnant women were recruited from prenatal clinics in southern Taiwan. One-way ANOVA indicated that INVR scores and fatigue were significantly different among the three trimesters, but that perceived stress and social support were not. Post hoc analyses, using least significant difference testing, indicated that the first trimester was associated with significantly higher levels of NV than were the second and third trimesters. The first and third trimesters had significantly higher fatigue levels than did the second trimester. Mixed models indicated that the differences among INVR scores among the three trimesters were independent of gravidity, planned pregnancy and age. The difference in fatigue between the first and second trimesters was independent of gravidity, planned pregnancy and age, but fatigue was positively associated with NV. Perceived stress was positively correlated with NV. However, when further examining the relationships among the key variables by adding fatigue, perceived stress was found to positively correlate with fatigue and not NV, and negatively correlated with social support. The findings of this study provide a more comprehensive understanding and evidence-based data of the patterns of and relationships among the above four key variables for pregnant women throughout the three trimesters. This will help health care professionals to provide more effective and appropriate care strategies based on the different stages of pregnancy.

Support During Pregnancy for Women at Increased Risk of Low Birthweight Babies

AbstractBackground: 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 counselling (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 strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (30 January 2003).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., counselling, reassurance, sympathetic listening) and information/advice, 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: Reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Double data entry was performed. Study authors were contacted to request additional information.Main results: Sixteen trials involving 13,651 women were included. The trials were generally of good to excellent quality, although 3 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.Reviewers’ 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.Citation: Hodnett ED, Fredericks S. Support during pregnancy for women at increased risk of low birthweight babies (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

Support during pregnancy for women at increased risk.

Studies consistently show a relationship between social disadvantage and low birthweight. 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. The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched. Date of last search: April 1999. Randomised 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 (eg counselling, reassurance, sympathetic listening) and information/advice, either in home visits or during clinic appointments, and could include tangible assistance (eg transportation to clinic appointments, assistance with the care of other children at home). One reviewer assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Fourteen trials, involving over 11,000 women, were included. The trials were generally of good to excellent quality, although three used a method likely to introduce bias. Programs offering additional social support for at risk pregnant women were not associated with improvements in any medical outcomes for the index pregnancy. Some improvements in immediate psychosocial outcomes were found in individual trials. Programs which offer additional support during pregnancy have not been shown to reduce the numbers of low birthweight or preterm babies or improve other important medical outcomes for mothers and babies.

Cultural practices and social support of pregnant women in a northern New Mexico community.

To describe the experience of social support in Hispanic families during pregnancy. Ethnographic investigation, conducted from November 1995 to November 1997 in Rio Arriba County of northern New Mexico. Seventy-two transcribed verbatim interviews with Hispanic mothers, family members, and health care providers, along with fieldnotes from participant observation, historical data of the region, and area demographics comprised the data for qualitative analysis. Pregnancy outcomes were positive because of a socialization process that helped pregnant Hispanic women and family members adapt and change to support the pregnancy. This mutual shaping helped reinforce the family structure, integrate cultural beliefs, define roles for both mother and family members, define the nature of mother-child and family-child relationships, and facilitate a positive process through a supportive orientation. Findings showed the dynamics and context of relationships that constituted social support conducive to healthy birth outcomes in Hispanic families of northern New Mexico. The findings were enlightening concerning the pregnancy process, role adaptation, integration of health care beliefs, and provided ideas for intervention models that might benefit pregnant women, infants, family members, community members, and health care professionals.

Characteristics of the social support for pregnant women in Japan--according to concept of four kinds of social support

The qualities of the social support and social network for pregnant women influence their mental and physical states during pregnancy and childcare period. We adopted Cronenwett's conceptual framework and the four kinds of the social support (emotional, material, information and comparison support) based on House's definition to examine the qualities of them. As for support resources, pregnant women's family, friend and husband's family provided most of the social support for pregnant women. Among of them, husband, mother, sisters, and husband's mother were especially important members, providing satisfactory support for pregnant women. The pregnant woman's and her husband's families were the main resources of emotional and material support. Friend was the that of information and comparison support. The pregnant women most perceived emotional support with the largest supportive members. Material support was perceived the most clear and independent kind from other three ones of supports.