Quando as mulheres se tornam mães: a história reprodutiva feminina numa visão evolucionista

In this thesis we tested evolutionary hypotheses, with empirically collected data, in a sample composed of pregnant Brazilian women. We consider that during pregnancy and soon after the baby's birth fundamental reproductive decisions take place, given the complete feminine involvement with the reproduction phenomenon. The results are presented in four empirical articles related to the history of female reproduction. The topics approached were mate selection, the life-history theory, the strategies of parental investment and postpartum depression. Data collection was accomplished through interviews with pregnant women and after the baby s birth, with a sample composed of women from two income classes (low income and middle class), in Natal, Brazil. With respect to mate selection, the results suggest that a real situation of reproductive mate selection shows significant differences when compared to the results obtained in studies involving potential mate selection (Article I). Considering the life-history theory, we have partially confirmed the hypothesis of the father`s absence influencing the development of the young female syndrome (Article II). In regard to parental investment strategies and the decrease of fatherhood uncertainty, we identified a larger attribution of the baby's resemblance after birth with the father, confirming our hypothesis (Article III). The results related to postpartum depression occurrence partially support the hypothesis that it is an evolutionary adaptation (Article IV). This thesis is part of a consolidation movement of Evolutionary Psychology in Brazil and it presents results on female reproductive history hitherto unpublished.

Stress na gestação e no puerpério: uma correlação com a depressão pós-parto

OBJETIVO: Descrever e comparar as fases do stress de primigestas no terceiro trimestre de gestação e no pós-parto e correlacioná-las à ocorrência de depressão pós-parto (DPP). MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi constituída de duas etapas, caracterizando-se como pesquisa longitudinal. Na Etapa 1, participaram 98 primigestas e na Etapa 2, 64 delas. Na Etapa 1, a coleta de dados aconteceu no terceiro trimestre de gestação e, na Etapa 2, no mínimo 45 dias após o parto. Na Etapa 1 aplicou-se o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress de Lipp (ISSL) e uma Entrevista Inicial para caracterização da amostra. Na Etapa 2, aplicou-se novamente o ISSL e também a EPDS (Escala de Edimburgo). Os dados foram analisados usando o programa estatístico SPSS for Windows®, versão 17.0. As análises estatísticas efetuadas foram o Teste t de Student e p de Spearman. RESULTADOS: No terceiro trimestre, 78% das participantes apresentaram sinais significativos para stress e, no puerpério, 63% manifestaram, apresentando diferença significativa entre o stress manifestado no terceiro trimestre e no puerpério (t=2,20; p=0,03). Observou-se, também, correlação entre o stress apresentado tanto na gestação como no puerpério e a manifestação de DPP (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Tanto na gestação como no puerpério mais da metade das mulheres apresentam sinais significativos para stress. Entretanto, a frequência da manifestação dos sintomas significativos de stress na gestação foi superior à frequência apresentada no puerpério. Tais resultados parecem guardar uma estreita relação com a manifestação de DPP, indicando relação entre stress e DPP.

Brazilian network for the surveillance of maternal potentially life threatening morbidity and maternal near-miss and a multidimensional evaluation of their long term consequences

Background. It has been suggested that the study of women who survive life-threatening complications related to pregnancy (maternal near-miss cases) may represent a practical alternative to surveillance of maternal morbidity/mortality since the number of cases is higher and the woman herself is able to provide information on the difficulties she faced and the long-term repercussions of the event. These repercussions, which may include sexual dysfunction, postpartum depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, may persist for prolonged periods of time, affecting women's quality of life and resulting in adverse effects to them and their babies. Objective. The aims of the present study are to create a nationwide network of scientific cooperation to carry out surveillance and estimate the frequency of maternal near-miss cases, to perform a multicenter investigation into the quality of care for women with severe complications of pregnancy, and to carry out a multidimensional evaluation of these women up to six months. Methods/Design. This project has two components: a multicenter, cross-sectional study to be implemented in 27 referral obstetric units in different geographical regions of Brazil, and a concurrent cohort study of multidimensional analysis. Over 12 months, investigators will perform prospective surveillance to identify all maternal complications. The population of the cross-sectional component will consist of all women surviving potentially life-threatening conditions (severe maternal complications) or life-threatening conditions (the maternal near miss criteria) and maternal deaths according to the new WHO definition and criteria. Data analysis will be performed in case subgroups according to the moment of occurrence and determining cause. Frequencies of near-miss and other severe maternal morbidity and the association between organ dysfunction and maternal death will be estimated. A proportion of cases identified in the cross-sectional study will comprise the cohort of women for the multidimensional analysis. Various aspects of the lives of women surviving severe maternal complications will be evaluated 3 and 6 months after the event and compared to a group of women who suffered no severe complications in pregnancy. Previously validated questionnaires will be used in the interviews to assess reproductive function, posttraumatic stress, functional capacity, quality of life, sexual function, postpartum depression and infant development. © 2009 Cecatti et al.

Presença de stress e ansiedade em primígestas no terceiro trimestre de gestação e no pós-parto

Pós-graduação em Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e Aprendizagem - FC

Variáveis sociodemográficas, depressão pós-parto e a interação entre mães e bebês de quatro a seis meses de idade

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Coping Style and Depressive Symptomatology during Pregnancy in a Private Setting Sample

Aim: to evaluate the association of antenatal depressive symptomatology (AD) with life events and coping styles, the hypothesis was that certain coping strategies are associated to depressive symptomatology. Methods: we performed a cross sectional study of 312 women attending a private clinic in the city of Osasco, Sao Paulo from 27/05/1998 to 13/05/2002. The following instruments were used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Holmes and Rahe Schedule of Recent Events (SSRS), Folkman and Lazarus Ways of Coping Questionnaire and questionnaire with social-demographic and obstetric data. Inclusion criteria: women with 110 past history of depression, psychiatric treatment, alcohol or drug abuse and no clinical-obstetrical complications. Odds ratios and 95% CI were used to examine the association between AD (according to BDI) and exposures variables. Hypothesis testing was done with chi(2) tests and a p value < .05. Results: AD occurred in 21.1% of pregnant women. By the univariate analyses, education, number of pregnancies, previous abortion, husband income, situation of marriage and score of SSRS were associated with AD. All coping styles were associated with AD, except seeking support and positive reappraisal. By the multivariate analyses, four coping styles were kept in the final model: confront (p = .039), accepting responsibility (p < .001), escape-avoidance (p = .002), problem-solving (p = .005). Conclusions: AD was highly prevalent and was associated with maladaptive coping styles.

Breastfeeding the very preterm hospitalized infant: An ethnographic study

Purpose. To develop a greater understanding of the experience—including the thoughts, feelings, and actions—of mothers' initiation and maintenance of lactation within the context of the NICU following the birth of a very preterm infant. ^ Design. Mixed method with dominant focused ethnographic approach. Setting: A 76-bed neonatal intensive care unit in the largest children's hospital located in a large metropolitan city in southeast Texas. ^ Sample. Purposeful sampling resulted in 23 interviews with 14 subjects. ^ Methods. Mixed method design with a dominant qualitative approach combined with a quantitative component to further identify and expand upon the investigation of the population in question. Open-ended semi-structured interviews and fieldwork were used to explore the experience of breastfeeding in the context of the NICU for mothers of very preterm infants. Longitudinal data obtained from each subject included in-depth interviews, demographic and clinical information, milk expression patterns (including pumping frequency, duration, and milk volumes obtained), and scores obtained from the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). ^ Findings. Thematic analysis revealed that mothers of very preterm infants experienced an interruption in the process of becoming a mother, a paradoxical experience related to aspects of their milk expression routines and patterns, and negotiating the NICU environment. Sub-themes of becoming a mother-interrupted included: attribution, separation, connection, and navigation. Additional sub-themes related to the paradoxical experience included: the pump sometimes acting as a wedge or link to the infant; diversionary thoughts/activities during pumping; and perceptions of milk flow/volume. The process of negotiation included the environment, adaptive/maladaptive strategies related to milk expression, motivating factors related to the provision of breast milk, and learning their infant's feeding cues/abilities. EPDS scores did not reveal congruent differences in those mothers scoring high compared to those scoring low. ^ Conclusions. Understanding the experiences of the mothers in this study allows for a better perspective of breastfeeding the very preterm infant in the context of the NICU. Findings from this study validate the difficult and incremental process of attaining maternal identity and the significant burden placed on these women with regards to the provision of breast milk and breastfeeding during their infant's hospitalization. ^

Aplicación práctica de los modelos de Mercer y Beck en las especialidades de enfermería

El vínculo afectivo es la atracción que un individuo siente por otro. La conducta de apego busca la unión emocional y seguridad del bebé hacia su madre. Distintas especialidades de enfermería indican la importancia de trabajar el vínculo afectivo, las relaciones familiares y utilizar el proceso enfermero partiendo de modelos conceptuales. Los modelos conceptuales de Mercer y Beck estudian factores a considerar en la formación y desarrollo de vínculos afectivos entre madres e hijos. Este estudio pretende desarrollar conocimientos, habilidades y actitudes que permitan una atención óptima al bebé y su familia. Analizando los elementos comunes y diferenciadores de ambos modelos y justificando la necesidad de prestar especial atención a la formación y mantenimiento del vínculo maternofilial desde la perspectiva de las diferentes especialidades de enfermería, se utiliza el proceso enfermero para la detección y resolución de problemas que afecten al vínculo afectivo y a las relaciones familiares.

ESTUDO DA EFICÁCIA ADAPTATIVA DE MULHERES NA GESTAÇÃO E NO PUERPÉRIO

A gestação e a maternidade são períodos que promovem profundas mudanças na vida da mulher. Devido à intensidade dessas mudanças, estes períodos são considerados de grande vulnerabilidade para o desenvolvimento da Depressão Pós-Parto (DPP). Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia adaptativa de mulheres no período gestacional e puerperal, verificar a incidência de crise adaptativa e DPP, verificar a associação da eficácia adaptativa com a DPP e verificar a EDAO como instrumento para identificação da depressão pós-parto. Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal com método clínico qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, no qual foram utilizados como instrumentos a Escala Diagnóstica Adaptativa Operacionalizada EDAO, Questionário de classificação socioeconômica da Associação Brasileira de Institutos de Pesquisa de Mercado ABIPEME e Escala de depressão pós-parto de Edimburgo EPDS. Participaram desse estudo sete gestantes atendidas no sistema público de saúde da cidade de Santo André / SP. A análise dos dados demonstrou que 42,86% das mulheres desenvolveram DPP, sendo que todas elas tiveram crise adaptativa. Das quatro mulheres que não apresentaram DPP, nenhuma demonstrou crise adaptativa e três delas obtiveram melhora adaptativa. O suporte familiar, principalmente do companheiro, foi considerado um fator externo positivo que atua como promotor de saúde. Os indicadores para desenvolvimento da DPP foram: a crise adaptativa, a ausência do companheiro e o sexo do bebê ser diferente do desejado. A EDAO mostrou-se um instrumento eficaz para discriminar fatores indicativos de DPP, o que favorece as intervenções primárias. O índice elevado de DPP e crise adaptativa diagnosticado nesse estudo revelou a urgência de desenvolver políticas públicas que atendam as mulheres no período gravídico-puerperal, uma vez que sua saúde mental fica vulnerável neste período, o que influenciará diretamente o desenvolvimento dos bebês e das famílias.

A prática baseada na evidência : a amamentação como fator preventivo da depressão pós-parto

Enquadramento: É expectável que o pós-parto seja um período de alegria. Todavia, nem sempre é assim, já que pode ser um período marcado por momentos de tristeza, cansaço e desânimo. Reconhecendo as vantagens da amamentação para a saúde e bem-estar do recémnascido e da mãe, acreditamos que esta possa ser preventiva da depressão pós-parto. Objetivos: Obter a melhor evidência científica para compreender se a amamentação tem efeito preventivo na depressão pós-parto. Método: Foi efetuada uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre a relação entre a amamentação e a depressão pós-parto através das bases de dados: EBSCO host, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, Repositórios institucionais e Google Académico. Selecionaram-se quinze artigos que obedeceram aos critérios de inclusão deste estudo. Resultados: A maioria dos estudos identifica a amamentação como sendo preventiva da depressão pós-parto, destacando a importância da amamentação para a saúde mental da puérpera e consequentemente para a diminuição das hipóteses de desenvolver depressão pósparto. Cinco artigos identificam-na também como sendo um fator de risco e um estudo não encontrou uma associação clara entre a amamentação e a depressão pós-parto. Conclusões: São descritos vários benefícios da amamentação, os quais terão um efeito preventivo contra a depressão pós-parto. Uma mulher informada e apoiada acerca da amamentação será capaz de se sentir confiante no seu novo papel. É essencial um investimento constante por parte da equipa de saúde, iniciado durante o processo do planeamento do casal para a gravidez, e mantendo-se ao longo da gravidez, parto e pós-parto. Palavras-chave: “Amamentação”, “depressão pós-parto”, “prevenção”.

Screening for depression and anxiety disorders from pregnancy to postpartum with the EPDS and STAI

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) are widely used self-report measures that still need to be further validated for the perinatal period. The aim of this study was to examine the screening performance of the EPDS and the STAI-S in detecting depressive and anxiety disorders at pregnancy and postpartum. Women screening positive on EPDS (EPDS ≥ 9) or STAI-S (STAI-S ≥ 45) during pregnancy (n = 90), as well as matched controls (n = 58) were selected from a larger study. At 3 months postpartum, 99 of these women were reassessed. At a second stage, women were administered a clinical interview to establish a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis yielded areas under the curve higher than .80 and .70 for EPDS and STAI-S, respectively. EPDS and STAI-S optimal cut-offs were found to be lower at postpartum (EDPS = 7; STAI-S = 34) than during pregnancy (EPDS = 9; STAI-S = 40). EPDS and STAI-S are reasonably valid screening tools during pregnancy and the postpartum.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in women and men from early pregnancy to 3-months postpartum: parity differences and effects

This study aimed to investigate both anxiety and depression symptoms from early pregnancy to 3-months postpartum, comparing women and men and first and second-time parents. Methods: A sample of 260 Portuguese couples (N=520), first or second-time parents, recruited in an Obstetrics Out-patients Unit, filled in the State-Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd pregnancy trimesters, childbirth, and 3-months postpartum. Results: A decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms from early pregnancy to 3-months postpartum was found in both women and men, as well as in first and second-time parents. Men presented less anxiety and depression symptoms than women, but the same pattern of symptoms over time. Second-time parents showed more anxiety and depression symptoms than first-time parents and a different pattern of symptoms over time: an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms from the 3rd trimester to childbirth was observed in first-time parents versus a decrease in second-time parents. Limitations: The voluntary nature of the participation may have lead to a selection bias; women and men who agreed to participate could be those who presented fewer anxiety and depression symptoms. Moreover, the use of self-report symptom measures does not give us the level of possible disorder in participants. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression symptoms diminish from pregnancy to the postpartum period in all parents. Patterns of anxiety and depression symptoms from early pregnancy to 3-months postpartum are similar in women and men, but somewhat different in first and second time parents. Second-time parents should also be considered while studying and intervening during pregnancy and the postpartum.

The specific role of relationship life events in the onset of depression during pregnancy and the postpartum

Background The precipitating role of life events in the onset of depression is well-established. The present study sought to examine whether life events hypothesised to be personally salient would be more strongly associated with depression than other life events. In a sample of women making the first transition to parenthood, we hypothesised that negative events related to the partner relationship would be particularly salient and thus more strongly predictive of depression than other events. Methods A community-based sample of 316 first-time mothers stratified by psychosocial risk completed interviews at 32 weeks gestation and 29 weeks postpartum to assess dated occurrence of life events and depression onsets from conception to 29 weeks postpartum. Complete data was available from 273 (86.4%). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine risk for onset of depression in the 6 months following a relationship event versus other events, after accounting for past history of depression and other potential confounders. Results 52 women (19.0%) experienced an onset of depression between conception and 6 months postpartum. Both relationship events (Hazard Ratio = 2.1, p = .001) and other life events (Hazard Ratio = 1.3, p = .020) were associated with increased risk for depression onset; however, relationship events showed a significantly greater risk for depression than did other life events (p = .044). Conclusions The results are consistent with the hypothesis that personally salient events are more predictive of depression onset than other events. Further, they indicate the clinical significance of events related to the partner relationship during pregnancy and the postpartum.

The role of cognitive vulnerability and stress in the prediction of postpartum depressive symptomatology

Objectives. The present study was designed to test the diathesis-stress components of Beck's cognitive theory of depression and the reformulated learned helplessness model of depression in the prediction of postpartum depressive symptomatology. Design and methods. The research used a two-wave longitudinal design-data were collected from 65 primiparous women during their third trimester of pregnancy and then 6 weeks after the birth. Cognitive vulnerability and initial depressive symptomatology were assessed at Time 1, whereas stress and postpartum depressive symptomatology were assessed at Time 2. Results. There was some support for the diathesis-stress component of Beck's cognitive theory, to the extent that the negative relationship between both general and maternal-specific dysfunctional attitudes associated with performance evaluation and Time 2 depressive symptomatology was strongest for women who reported high levels of parental stress. In a similar vein, the effects of dysfunctional attitudes (general and maternal-specific) associated with performance evaluation and need for approval (general measure only) on partner ratings of emotional distress were evident only among those women whose infants were rated as being temperamentally difficult. Conclusion. There was no support for the diathesis-stress component of the reformulated learned helplessness model of depression; however, there was some support for the diathesis-stress component of Beck's cognitive theory.

Postpartum issues' for expectant mothers and fathers

Objective: To investigate the postpartum psychosocial and infant care topics that women and men who attend preparation for parenthood classes have been thinking or worrying about during the pregnancy. Furthermore, to compare the rates of endorsement of such issues for women and men so that clinicians can use this information to help plan which topics to include in preparation for parenthood classes. Design: A survey of expectant parents attending preparation for parenthood classes at a local public hospital. Participants completed a 17- to 19-item postpartum issues checklist devised for the study. Setting: Preparation for parenthood classes conducted in a public hospital in South Western Sydney, Australia. Participants: People attending the session were in their 2nd to 3rd trimester, of low to middle socioeconomic status, and 95% were expecting their first child. Eighty-five percent of women were accompanied by their male partner at the session. Data are reported from 201 women and 182 men. Measure: A 17-item issues checklist was devised initially and later expanded to 19 items. The initial checklist covered three psychosocial issues: interpersonal, intrapersonal, and parental competency. The expanded checklist also included items on infant care issues. Participants rated each item as to the extent to which they had been thinking or worrying about it over the past few weeks. Results: More than half of the men and women had been thinking or worrying about their ability to cope as new parents; just less than half of both men and women endorsed the item regarding the effect having a baby would have on their relationship with their partner; approximately 40% of women had thought that they might get bored or lonely when at home with the baby, and an equal rate of men reported that their partner experiencing this sense of boredom or loneliness was an issue for them. There were few differences between the genders in the rate of endorsement on the issues checklist. Conclusion: That many of the issues on the checklist are prevalent in both women and men at this time in the pregnancy would suggest that these are topics that would be pertinent for inclusion at preparation for parenthood classes. Although the checklist is not exhaustive, the data reported give empirical justification for inclusion of these topics in such classes.