Mode of Delivery Doesn't Affect Later Maternal Stress

Whether a woman gives birth by vaginally or by C-section, the mode of delivery makes no difference in stress levels six months later, but state of mind during pregnancy can be a contributing factor. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Whether a woman gives birth by elective C-section or vaginal delivery may not affect her anxiety or stress levels afterward, suggests a new study that questions the idea of using C-sections just for the sake of a mother's mental well-being. Looking at more than 55,000 women in Norway who gave birth between 1998 and 2008, researchers found the strongest determinant of a woman's postpartum emotional distress was her state of mind during pregnancy. Mode of delivery made no difference in the women's...

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The Logic Behind the Toddler Temper Tantrum

Witnessing a child’s temper tantrum is painful for all, but knowing why it occurs can help parents and caregivers weather the storm. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Connecticut have revealed a method to the madness when it comes to childhood temper tantrums. The new science behind the kicking, screaming and shouting involves the pattern and rhythm of the sounds that emerge from toddlers during such tantrums. The details of the analysis were recently published in the journal Emotion. According to the researchers, once the pattern of vocalizations that emerge and fade during temper tantrums are understood, they can assist parents as well as teachers to provide more effective responses to such...

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Could Acute Postpartum Blues Signal Bipolar Disorder?

Women treated for major depression shortly after giving birth are more likely to be diagnosed as bipolar later in life compared to those whose first psychiatric episode happened at any other time. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women treated for severe psychiatric conditions, including major depression, shortly after giving birth were more likely to be diagnosed as bipolar later in life compared to those whose first psychiatric episode happened at any other time, in a new study from Denmark. Researchers said they didn't know if some postpartum depression or schizophrenia-like episodes were actually misdiagnosed bipolar disorder—or if more women with those initial diagnoses developed bipolar disorder over time. "We're looking...

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Posted in: HEALTH