• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2020

Objectives : Postpartum depression is known to occur in 10-15% of mothers. The concentration of cytokine varies depending on stress, depression, pregnancy and general medical conditions. We hypothesized that the concentration of cytokines may be related to reproduction and childbirth, and that women with postpartum depression would show alterations in cytokines levels. Methods : A total of 104 pregnant women were selected as subjects, and 60 non-pregnant women were selected as normal controls. Symptoms of depression were evaluated in the pregnant study subjects using the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The pregnant subjects were divided into three groups perinatal non-depression controls (n=61), postpartum depression-recovery (n=18), and postpartum depression (n=25). Results : The plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1 was higher in the pregnant group than in non-pregnant controls (TGF-β1 ; p<0.01, IGF-1 ; p=0.026). At 24 weeks of pregnancy and 6 weeks of delivery, there were no significant differences in the plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1, β-NGF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α between the three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in all three groups during the course of depression in pregnant women. Conclusions : This study found significant difference in plasma cytokines concentrations between non-pregnant controls and perinatal non-depression controls.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was designed to identify mother and infant related factors that influence child-care stress among the mother of newborn infants. Methods: Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. The data survey was conducted with 957 conveniently selected mothers of infants when they visited a public health center in Seoul to have their children immunized. Results: The average item score for the Childcare Stress Inventory was 38.03, for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, 9.31 and for the Degree of Bother Inventory, 23.42. The CSI was positively correlated to EPDS (r=.44, p<.001) and DBI (r=.40, p<.001). Also these two variables explained 30.0% of CSI in infants' mothers. Conclusion: These findings are expected to expand the understanding about postpartum mothers' child-care stress and can contribute to the development of comprehensive interventions based on community health nursing.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.125-133
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• 2012

Objectives: Postpartum thyroiditis patient's symptoms are very similar to symptoms of postpartum disease which can be called sanhupung. This study is to report the effect of herbal medicine on sanhupung patient diagnosed of postpartum thyroiditis. Methods: We treated a 32-year-old female patient who had symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis and sanhupung with Jaeumganghwa-tang and Jayumkeonbi-tang. Results: After herbal medicine treatment the symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis such as general weakness, hot flush on the palms and soles of the feet, fever pattern of malaria and symptoms of sanhupung such as arthralgia, depression, imsomnia, sweating were improved. Conclusions: This case report shows that herbal medicine can be used to treat patient with postpartum thyroiditis and Jaeumganghwa-tang, Jayumkeonbi-tang is effective for mitigating the symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis. However, patient is still in thyroxine treatment, and additional care is required.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.34-58
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the interventions of Oriental Medicine which had been commonly used for postpartum disease and postpartum care. Methods: We searched research on the interventions for postpartum disease and postpartum care in 4 domestic search engines. After that, we conducted eligibility screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: 1. We selected total 50 studies. There were 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT), 5 non-RCT, 35 case reports, 8 case series within the 6~8 weeks after childbirth. 2. Of the 35 case reports, several interventions were used : acupuncture (22), moxibustion (11), cupping therapy (7), pharmacopuncture (5), chuna manipulation (4), herbal medicine (34). The most common symptoms were musculoskeletal symptoms (8), followed by postpartum depression (7). Various prescriptions and acupoints of oriental medicine were used depending on the diseases or symptoms. 3. Of the 8 case series, 382 subjects in 5 case series had taken Saenghwa-tang-gagam. And Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy (5), pharmacopuncture (1) were used as an intervention. 4. The most commonly used acupoint is 腎兪 (BL23) in the pain including postpartum back pain and 三陰交 (SP6), 關元 (CV4) in the postpartum care. 關元 (CV4) is the most commomly used moxibustion point not only the postpartum disease but also the postpartum care. Conclusions: In clinical studies of oriental medicine related to postpartum disease and postpartum care, pain-related clinical studies that belong to or progress to Sanhupung were the most common (30%), and among them, postpartum low back pain studies were the most common (20%). Based on this, we believe that large-scale clinical studies with high quality using oriental interventions including chuna and pharmacopuncture are needed to establish guidelines for the management of pain treatment including postpartum back pain.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was to examine the effect of postpartum exercise on mental health. Mental health comprises a 9 symptom dimension of Somatization, Obsessive-Compulsive, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, Anxiety, Hostility, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid Ideation, and Psychoticism. Method: A non-equivalent pre-test, post-test control group study was conducted. Fifty-two puerperal women who were admitted to a postpartum ward of a mother-baby clinic in Pusan were recruited; 26 women were assigned to the experimental group and 26 women to the control group. Postpartum exercise was applied to the experimental group from postpartum day 3 for a period of 8 weeks while no exercise program was applied to the control group. Mental health with SCL-90-R was measured before and after exercise. Data was analyzed using mean, $x^2$-test, t-test, and ANOVA by SPSS 10.0. Result: The mental health status in the exercise group did not show a statistically significant decrease when compared to that of the control group. Conclusion: There is no effect of postpartum exercise on women's mental health during the first 8 weeks of the postpartum period. Further studies are needed for randomized clinical trials with a larger sample size.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare maternal perceptions between two groups of postpartum women, women who chose to have their babies room-in and women who did not (non rooming-in group). Methods: Data collection was conducted in 37 hospitals from August 10 to September 20, 2008. The participants were 209 mothers opting for rooming-in and 128 mothers for non rooming-in. The women completed a questionnaire which included the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, maternal attachment inventory, and postpartum self-evaluation questionnaire. Results: There were significant differences in education level, income and antenatal education between the rooming-in and non rooming-in groups. The rooming-in group also showed higher levels of satisfaction with medical services. More important, the rate of breast feeding for the rooming-in group was higher than for the non rooming-in group. There was no difference between the two groups for postpartum depression, maternal attachment and mothers' confidence with infant care tasks. Conclusion: These findings suggest that rooming-in system has more advantages compared to non rooming-in and that it can help to promote breast feeding. The authors recommend that the rooming-in system be expanded nationwide. The results of this research can be used to assist the development of future rooming-in system expansion strategy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.503-514
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare levels of postpartum fatigue, depression, childcare stress, and maternal identity according to postpartum period between primiparas who used Sanhujori facilities and those who did not. Methods: The research design was a longitudinal descriptive study using self-report questionnaires. Participants were 55 healthy primiparas who delivered at one of 3 hospitals in Chungnam, 21 using Sanhujori facilities and 34 not using these facilities during the first three weeks after childbirth. Data were collected from October 2008 to April 2009 at three measurement points, 2-4 days after childbirth (T1), 4-6 weeks (T2), and 12-14 weeks (T3). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 17.0 WIN program. Results: There was a significant difference in childcare stress between the two groups at 4-6 weeks after childbirth. Postpartum depression and childcare stress at 4-6 weeks were significantly higher than those of the other postpartum periods, while maternal identity was significantly lower. Conclusion: Child care stress is the most important issue among women who use Sanhujori facilities and the 4-6 week period after childbirth is very difficult to primiparas. These results indicate that nursing interventions for primiparas in Sanhujori facilities should focus on reducing childcare stress. Furthermore proper follow-up programs at 4-6 weeks are needed to decrease the difficulties in adjustment by new mothers.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.116-129
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the maternal health effects of internet-based education interventions on parturients during the postpartum period through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Methods: An electronic literature search of the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, Eric, PsycINFO, PubMed, RISS, and KISS databases was performed, using the combination of keywords such as 'parenthood education', '*natal education', '*birth intervention', 'internet-based intervention', 'randomized controlled trial'. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed papers in English regarding randomized controlled trials of internet-based postnatal education interventions. Educational interventions were delivered through any web, mobile, eHealth, mHealth, virtual reality, short message service, or social networking service platform. Quality appraisal was performed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) for randomized controlled trials. Nine articles were yielded, and the intervention effects were analyzed. Results: Internet-based education interventions during the postpartum period affect maternal self-efficacy, postpartum depression, and successive breastfeeding; however, they do not affect maternal satisfaction and parenting confidence. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that internet-based education interventions affect maternal health status in terms of psychological, emotional, and physical wellness. Therefore, maternal health care professionals can utilize remote education using the internet or mobile-based interventions during the postpartum period.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

Objectives : Prevalence of postpartum depressive disorders reaches approximately 10-15% of childbearing women. This preliminary study was intended to explore the relationships between postpartum depressive disorders and family adaptability and cohesion. Methods : Childbearing women(n=24) were assessed for risk factors for postpartum depression before and after childbirth prospectively. At gestational age between 36th and 40th week, the questionnaire about various factors before childbirth, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale(EPDS), Family adaptability-cohesion evaluation scale (FACES), and Beck anxiety inventory(BAI) were assessed. After childbirth, for the diagnosis of postpartum depressive disorders, a structured diagnostic interview according to MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview was performed, furthermore, the questionnaire about various factors after childbirth, EPDS, and BAI were assessed at 4-6 weeks postpartum. Results : Among various factors and scales, family adaptability and cohesion, mood symptom and change during pregnancy were associated with postpartum depressive disorder in comparison with non-postpartum depressive disorder subjects. In addition, low family adaptability and cohesion and mood change during pregnancy were significantly associated factors with postpartum depressive disorder using logistic regression analysis. Conclusion : The results suggest the postpartum depressive disorder could be related with prenatal low family adaptability and cohesion. This preliminary study, however, includes only a few subjects, so that further large-sized study will be needed to replicate our results.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.109-121
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• 2006

This study examines the relationship between mother's stress and cortisol level during late pregnancy and how it changes into postpartum periods. Thirty one families were recruited from Daejeon and Incheon in South Korea. The major findings were as follows: (1) The level of mothers' cortisol followed the typical diurnal pattern of decline throughout the day. Further longitudinal analysis revealed that the level of Korean mothers' cortisol steadily lowered from the 8th prenatal month to the 6th postnatal month. (2) During pregnancy, mothers reported to experience changes in physical activities, daily routines, eating habits, types or amount of social activities and sleeping habits. Among these they were stressed the most by changes in physical activities and social activities. (3) The results of postpartum depression tests conducted at two months after giving birth showed mothers at this time were mostly stressed from difficulty sleeping and unnecessary self criticism. (4) The level of psycho social stress in mothers at six months after giving birth was mainly on social roles and the questions about self reliance marked the highest points. (5) Overall, there was a tendency for the level of maternal stress to decrease definitely from before and after the delivery and even though the level of stress was steadily decreasing up to 6th postpartum month it was not as sharp as those of before and after the birth of the babies. The level of cortisol analysis also showed the same obvious tendency.