• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between postpartium joint diseases and maternal season. So it can prevent postpartum joint diseases and provide fundamental data about postpartum health care. Methods: The subject of the present study was 219 women (142 women who completed vaginal delivery and 77 women who delivered by cesarean section) who completed labor between November 1, 2013 and November 31, 2016, at the clinic of OB&GYN. They have been taking good care of their health at postpartum clinic in Andong Woori Women Hospital. We investigated the various symptoms and situation which occurred from the moment of hospital to postnatal admission health care period and oriental doctor examined the patients. We classified the symptoms by the age of patients, the method of delivery, the term of pregnancy, the body weight of infant, the weight change of mother and the way of feeding. Through data analysis, we investigated the correlation between maternal season and postpartum joint diseases. Results: Postpartum joint diseases were the most common among all symptoms after childbirth. Postpartum joint diseases were classified into shoulder area pain and low back pain. In low back pain, there was no significant difference between maternal season and postpartum joint diseases. In shoulder, wrist and finger pain, pain was the most severe at winter delivery. It was the most painful in winter, followed by autumn, spring and summer. Conclusion: There was a close correlation between postpartum joint disease manifestations and maternal season.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.4011-4020
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the self efficacy, body image and family support affect on postpartum depression in early postpartum mothers. The data was collected 306 mothers on the first week after delivery from one hospital located in B city. The instruments were a survey of general characteristics, obstetrical characteristics, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS), self-efficacy, body image and family support. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. The results revealed that the average item score of the EPDS was 6.09. The significant predictors of postpartum depression were body image, emotional state in pregnancy, and family support. These variables had a 38.4% explainability. The results indicate that the postpartum mothers should be screened for postpartum depression early in the postpartum period and it's necessary to implement nursing intervention focused on to enhance the body image and family support, especially the weak emotional state mothers in pregnancy.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.106-114
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to describe a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework for postpartum depression (PPD) and discuss its implications for nursing research and practice for postpartum women. Methods: This study explored the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as possible mediators of risk factors for PPD through literature review. Results: From this PNI view, human bodies are designed to respond with the reciprocal interactions among the neuro-endocrine and immune system when they are faced with physical or psychological stressors. Chronic stress induces alterations in the function of HPA axis, and a chronic low-grade inflammatory response is associated with depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and HPA axis have been observed during the postpartum period. Stress promotes glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which can promote inflammatory responses. This, in turn, can contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This can especially affect populations at vulnerable time-points, such as women in the postpartum. Conclusion: From a PNI perspective, well-designed prospective research evaluating the role of stress and inflammation as an etiology of PPD and the effect of stress reduction is warranted to prevent PPD.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To investigate the effect of infant massage on stress, immune function and self-confidence in postpartum mothers. Method: From September, 2003 to February, 2004, 65 women who had delivered babies and were enrolled in the postpartum clinic were assigned to the experimental group or control group. In the experimental group, infant massage was given for 20 minute sessions twice a day from 4 days to 14 days after delivery. The instruments were Parental Stress Index, serum cortisol levels, WBCs, lymphocytes, and Self Confidence Scale. Results: Stress scores, WBCs and lymphocytes showed significant differences by the time, but there weren't significant differences according to the group and interactions between the group and the time. Cortisol and self-confidence scores showed significant differences by the time and the group. Conclusions: Applying massage to their newborn baby influenced cortisol levels of postpartum mothers. Therefore stress, cortisol, and immune functions in postpartum mothers should be generally screened and follow up studies are needed for the effective application of massage in postpartum mothers.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.242-253
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to assess immigrant women's needs for pregnancy and postpartum adaptation and to test the reliability and validity of the scale. Methods: To construct scale items, critical issues and difficulties associated with pregnancy and postpartum adaptation of immigrant women were identified and categorized through a literature review. Fifty-two scale items were constructed, and data for validity and reliability testing was collected with a questionnaire survey from 367 immigrant women. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and reliability coefficients. Results: The final measurement scale to assess immigrant women's pregnancy and postpartum adaptation consisted of 48 items and 7 factors (adaptation to daily activity during pregnancy, cross-cultural understanding and personal respect, understanding of the process of pregnancy and delivery, baby rearing and family support, physical and emotional adaptation after childbirth, nutrition during pregnancy, and sexual life adaptation). The seven factors accounted for 64.26% of the variance, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ was .96. Conclusion: The scale developed by this study is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used to assess needs of pregnancy and postpartum adaptation and can be utilized in providing nursing interventions for immigrant women.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2019

We aimed to identify predictive markers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows. Data regarding peri- and postpartum disorders, serum metabolites, body condition score (BCS), and rectal temperature, were collected from 227 dairy cows, which were allocated to healthy (n = 57) and diseased (n = 170) groups. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before (p < 0.01) and immediately after (p = 0.05) calving. Serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) activity was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 1 and 2 weeks after calving, whereas total cholesterol (TCH) concentration was lower (p < 0.05-0.0001) in diseased cows 4 weeks before, and after calving. BCS was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before calving, but lower (p < 0.01) in diseased cows 8 weeks after calving. Rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05-0.01) in diseased than healthy cows between 2 and 14 days postpartum. In conclusion, high serum NEFA and AST concentrations and lower TCH concentration during the peripartum period, and high prepartum BCS and postpartum rectal temperature, could be used as biomarkers to predict the subsequent development of peri- and postpartum disorders.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.164-173
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and stress, as well as factors influencing PPD, among women in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional online survey and recruited participants during postpartum visits to the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Data collection was done using Arabic versions of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and a sociodemographics and obstetric history questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted, including multiple linear regression using a stepwise method. Results: Data from the 270 participants showed low levels of postpartum depressive symptoms with a mean score of 2.54±4.5 and low levels of perceived stress with a mean score of 2.49±6.2. While 94.4% of the participants reported low levels of stress and PPD, 5.6% reported elevated levels (≥10 for PPD, ≥14 for stress). The stepwise regression analysis showed significant results (p<.001), accounting for 34% of the variance in PPD. The factors significantly influencing PPD included the type of family, stress, number of abortions, disease during pregnancy, and family income. Importantly, perceived stress emerged as a factor influencing PPD. Conclusion: Although the majority of participants exhibited low levels of PPD, about 1 in 18 showed elevated levels. The identification of significant influencing factors highlights the need for targeted interventions to effectively address mental health concerns in postpartum women.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.33-45
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the tendency toward depression and fatigue in early postpartum women and to determine the relationship between the symptoms of these conditions, according to the women's Sasang constitutions. Methods: In this study, 73 healthy postpartum women were analyzed according to Sasang constitution: 33 Taeeumin, 22 Soyangin, and 18 Soeumin. Symptoms of depression and fatigue were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-K(EPDS-K) and the Fatigue Continuum Form(FCF), respectively, on the fourth(time 1), seventh(time 2), and fifteenth(time 3) days postpartum. Sasang constitutional types were determined by a medical specialist, using results from the Two Step Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Diagnosis(TS-QSCD). Results: 1. The overall depressive symptoms and fatigue scores decreased significantly over time in early postpartum women. 2. The mean scores for the EPDS and FCF were higher in the Soeumin group than in other groups. The scores for EPDS and FCF dropped sharply in comparison to a former level in the Soyangin group. And the mean EPDS score was lower in the Soyangin group than in other groups. The EPDS and FCF scores in the Taeeumin group changed slightly over time. However, these results were not statistically significant according to Sasang constitution. 3. The relationship between postpartum depression and fatigue showed a significant positive correlation. Conclusions: These results suggest that, in early postpartum women, depressive symptoms and fatigue differ according to Sasang constitution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.329-333
• /
• 2000

Data of 15 multiparous Holstein cows kept at Ibaraki Prefectural Animal Experiment Station were collected from 10 weeks prepartum to 20 weeks postpartum. Cows were assigned randomly to a soybean meal (S8M) diet or a fish meal (FM) diet from 4 weeks before expected calving date to 20 weeks postpartum. Each diet was formulated to contain similar amounts of CP, ADF, and NDF. In the FM diet, 2.5 and 5% of fish meal were supplemented as total mixed rations in prepartum and postpartum periods, respectively. Compared to the SBM diet, undegraded intake protein (UIP) and Met were higher in the FM diet, but Lys was low. Body weight and dry matter intake were not affected by supplemental FM, and dry matter intake increased by 6 weeks postpartum and maintained constant after 7 weeks postpartum. Cows in the FM diet remained high milk production during the experimental period, but milk yield in the SBM diet decreased gradually after 6 weeks postpartum. Supplemental FM increased milk yield and protein yield from 10 to 20 weeks postpartum when FM intake was 1.19 kg/d, although milk protein was not improved. There were no significance differences in fat content and fat yield between FM and SBM diets. Supplemental FM had no effect on plasma glucose and urea-N at parturition and 7 weeks postpartum. Thus, the increased milk and protein yield may be due to the combination of carryover effect of supplemental UIP or Met in FM from 4 weeks prepartum to 10 weeks postpartum and direct effect of supplemental FM.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.325-343
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to identify and describe the experiences of health care during pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum period for Vietnamese marriage immigrants. Methods: The participants were 15 Vietnamese married immigrant women who became pregnant and gave birth within the last five years. Data were collected by in-depth interview with Vietnamese women. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of phenomenology. Results: Six theme clusters were extracted as follows: 'being left with no other option in loneliness and longing filled in a limited life', 'continued trials and errors amidst frustration and fear', 'silently following orders despite the quality of medical services that change with each medical care provider', 'compromise by selecting amidst confusion between the Korean way and the way at home', 'depending on family, who is the communication channel, but becoming disappointed', and 'finding the reason for existence and struggling by herself to become a mother amidst doubled confusion'. Conclusion: A program for effective empowerment of Vietnamese immigrant women should be developed. In addition multicultural family centered programs should be developed with emphasis on acceptance of women's culture, respect for her culture, and supports. Medical staffs and nurses should also improve culturally sensitive competence in order to provide care for immigrant women.