Caesarians increase risk of postnatal depression

A major new study conducted by the University of York, and published in the Journal of Health Economics, provides new evidence that emergency C-sections put new mothers at greater risk of experiencing mental health problems after giving birth.

The study has revealed first-time mothers who give birth via unplanned caesarean section are 15% more likely to experience postnatal depression. Furthermore, the numbers of C-sections performed worldwide have increased dramatically in many developed countries over the past few decades

The author of the study is calling for more mental health support for women whose babies are delivered via emergency caesarean section, or C-section — a surgical procedure usually carried out because of complications during labour.

Read more here at Hospital and Healthcare.

                                                           Source: Hospital and Healthcare

Thinking beyond maternal mortality

In 2012, WHO initiated a five‐year project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the aim of developing the evidence base on maternal morbidity through improving the scientific basis for defining, measuring (and estimating), and monitoring it.  The aim was to close the gap between measuring morbidity for programmatic purposes and assessing its actual impact on a woman's life The International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics has published a new Supplement on reconceptualising and measuring maternal morbidity, published in conjunction with the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research as a result of the project.

2018, May. Thinking beyond maternal mortality: Re‐conceptualizing and measuring maternal morbidity. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 141(S1) Free to download here.    

Depression During and After Pregnancy

Many women experience depression during and after pregnancy, and it’s important to learn the symptoms of depression and to seek treatment if needed. Some people may experience a few symptoms, and others might experience many. How often symptoms occur, how long they last, and how intense they may feel can be different for each person.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a feature article with information about maternal depression and treatment.  

Domestic and Family Violence and Parenting

This paper examines the current state of knowledge on the impact of domestic and family violence (DFV) on parenting. The research captures the experiences and impacts on fathers, mothers, and children at varying ages and stages of development and independence. It considers how often DFV occurs among parents; the impact of DFV on parenting; the methods and behaviours used by perpetrators to disrupt the mother-child relationship; and interventions used to strengthen and support a healthy mother-child relationship.

Domestic and family violence and parenting: mixed method insights into impact and support needs - final report.  2017. Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety. 

Australia's mothers and babies 2014

Australia’s mothers and babies 2014 - in brief presents key statistics and trends on pregnancy and childbirth, and the characteristics and outcomes of births and babies. This publication is designed to accompany the perinatal dynamic data display.

This AIHW report presents data showing that in 2014, 307, 844 women gave birth in Australia, an increase of 18% since 2004, with 51% being male. The average age of women who gave birth was 30.2, compared with 29.7 in 2004 and 30 in 2009.  The rate of multiple pregnancies has decreased, and the rate of around 7 stillborn babies per 1000 has not changed much since 2004.

State of Australia's Mothers 2016

Save the Children Australia has published a report, State of Australia's Mothers 2016.  Some of the key findings were:

• Mothers in urban cities have better outcomes across all measures, but there are disparities within cities.  For example, in Sydney, infants born in the southwest are twice as likely to die before their first birthday as babies born in the wealthier inner-city North Shore.  
• Mothers in regional and remote areas have poorer health outcomes than city mother, with higher hospitalisation and mortality rates 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers face  higher mortality rates for themselves and their children. On average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are behind non-Aboriginal Australians on almost all typical indicators of wellbeing. 
• Mothers on low incomes have challenges involving keeping their immediate environment healthy and secure, feeding and clothing their children, looking after their health needs and keeping their children in school.