Pain experiences of men and women after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background And Research Objectives: Individuals with coronary artery disease undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce early death. Pain is the most prevalent symptom identified by persons after CABG surgery. The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence and severity of pain and pain-related interference with activities in men and women 9 weeks after CABG surgery.

The Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form.

The objective of this study was to translate and psychometrically assess a Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). The original English version of the BSES-SF was translated to Portuguese and tested among a sample of 89 mothers in southern Brazil from the 2nd to 12th postpartum week followed by face-to-face interviews. The mean total score of the Portuguese version of the BSES-SF was 63.

Psychometric testing of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form in a sample of Black women in the United States.

The benefits of breastfeeding increase with duration and exclusivity, but significant racial disparities exist in breastfeeding rates. Breastfeeding self-efficacy, as measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short-Form (BSES-SF), is a significant predictor of breastfeeding outcomes in diverse samples. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the BSES-SF in Black women in the US.

Traditional postpartum practices and rituals: clinical implications.

Objectives: In many cultures, postpartum rituals are observed because they are believed to have beneficial mental health effects. Our systematic review examines the research literature investigating the effects of postpartum rituals on postpartum depression (PPD) to determine if the rituals protect against PPD.

Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched (from 1966 to October 31, 2008).

Postpartum depression peer support: maternal perceptions from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Peer support in the early postpartum period is effective in the prevention of postpartum depression among women identified as high-risk.

Objectives: To describe maternal perceptions of peer support received while participating in a trial.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of women participating in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of peer support in the prevention of postpartum depression.

Cardiac Home Education and Support Trial (CHEST): a pilot study.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is performed more frequently in individuals who are older and sicker than in previous years. Increased patient acuity and reduced hospital length of stays leave individuals ill prepared for their recovery.

Objectives: To test the feasibility of a peer support program and determine indicators of the effects of peer support on recovery outcomes of individuals following CABG surgery.

Psychometric assessment of the Brazilian version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to translate and psychometrically assess the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) among women living in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, and examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) and maternal demographic variables.

Design And Sample: This methodological study is the first translation of BSES conducted in South America. The psychometric assessment of the original study was replicated.

Differentiation and clinical implications of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are serious mood disorders encountered by nurses working in a variety of settings. Postpartum depression refers to a nonpsychotic depressive episode, while postpartum psychosis refers to a manic or affective psychotic episode linked temporally with childbirth. The nursing profession plays a crucial role in the early identification and treatment of these postpartum mood disorders.

The prevalence of postpartum depression among women with substance use, an abuse history, or chronic illness: a systematic review.

Background: Although much is known about risk factors for postpartum depression (PPD), many potentially important clinical variables have still not been investigated. In this systematic literature review, we examine the published evidence for the prevalence of PPD among three populations of women commonly seen by providers of perinatal care: women who use substances, women with current or past experiences of abuse, and women with chronic illness.

Methods: We searched Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library from their start dates through to August 1, 2008, using keywords relevant to depression and each of the three target clinical populations.

The relationship between infant-feeding outcomes and postpartum depression: a qualitative systematic review.

Context: The negative health consequences of postpartum depression are well documented, as are the benefits of breastfeeding. Despite the detailed research related to these maternal and infant health outcomes, the relationship between maternal mood and breastfeeding remains equivocal.

Objective: A qualitative systematic review was conducted to examine the relationship between postpartum depressive symptomatology and infant-feeding outcomes.

Antenatal peer support workers and initiation of breast feeding: cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an antenatal service using community based breastfeeding peer support workers on initiation of breast feeding.

Design: Cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Community antenatal clinics in one primary care trust in a multiethnic, deprived population.

Interventions (other than pharmacological, psychosocial or psychological) for treating antenatal depression.

Background: Although pregnancy was once thought of as a time of emotional well-being for many women, conferring 'protection' against psychiatric disorders, a recent meta-analysis of 21 studies suggests the mean prevalence rate for depression across the antenatal period is 10.7%, ranging from 7.4% in the first trimester to a high of 12.

Oestrogens and progestins for preventing and treating postpartum depression.

Background: Postpartum depression is a common complication of childbirth, affecting approximately 13% of women. A hormonal aetiology has long been hypothesised due to the sudden and substantial fluctuations in concentrations of steroid hormones associated with pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. There is also convincing evidence that oestrogens, progestins, and related compounds have important central nervous system activity at physiological concentrations.

The relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and perceived insufficient milk among Japanese mothers.

Objective: To examine the relationship between maternal perceptions of insufficient milk and breastfeeding confidence using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: Two hundred and sixty-two in-hospital breastfeeding mothers in Japan.

Hygiene interventions for prevention of cytomegalovirus infection among childbearing women: systematic review.

Aim: This paper is a report of a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of preventive interventions to reduce congenital cytomegalovirus transmission and infection among women of childbearing age.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus has been identified as the leading infectious cause of damage to the growing fetus in developed countries, including Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and spina bifida. Despite the prevalence and consequences of this infection, it has a low profile and pregnant mothers are often unaware of the risks and protective behaviours related to its transmission.

The influence of adolescent mothers' breastfeeding confidence and attitudes on breastfeeding initiation and duration.

A prospective correlational study was conducted to examine the influence of adolescent mothers' breastfeeding attitudes and confidence on breastfeeding initiation and duration. A convenience sample of 100 pregnant adolescents who were contemplating breastfeeding completed the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) and the Breastfeeding Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ). The BSES-SF was readministered during the first week postpartum to those adolescents who initiated breastfeeding (n=84).

Translation and psychometric assessment of the Breast-feeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form among pregnant and postnatal women in Turkey.

Background: most women stop breast feeding before the recommended 6 months post partum. If health professionals are to improve low breast-feeding duration and exclusivity rates, they need to assess high-risk women reliably and identify predisposing factors amenable to intervention. One possible modifiable variable is breast-feeding confidence.

A systematic review of telephone support for women during pregnancy and the early postpartum period.

Objective: To assess the effects of telephone-based support on smoking, preterm birth, low birthweight, breastfeeding, and postpartum depression.

Data Sources: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (March 2006), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (March 2006), Medline (1966-2006), EMBASE (1980-2006), and CINAHL (1982-2006). Secondary references were scanned and experts in the field were contacted.

Psychometric properties of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form in an ethnically diverse U.K. sample.

Objective: To psychometrically assess the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) among a multicultural U.K. sample and to examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal demographic variables.

The impact of a self-efficacy intervention on short-term breast-feeding outcomes.

Maternal self-efficacy for breast-feeding may contribute to success in breast-feeding. This study aimed to increase breast-feeding self-efficacy and actual breast-feeding through an intervention based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory. A total of 90 pregnant women participated in the study.

Canadian mothers' perceived support needs during postpartum depression.

Objective: To assess the support needs, support resources, barriers to support, and preferences for support intervention for women with postpartum depression.

Design: Multisite, exploratory, descriptive study in which qualitative data were collected on support needs, the availability of resources, perceived barriers to support, and preferences for support of women who have experienced symptoms of postpartum depression.

Participants And Setting: Conducted in Alberta and New Brunswick; mothers were interviewed individually (Alberta, n= 24; New Brunswick, n= 17) and in groups (Alberta, n= 5; New Brunswick, n= 6).

Exploring breast-feeding self-efficacy.

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the influence of efficacy-enhancing experiences on breast-feeding self-efficacy.

Methods: Using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, the influences of enactive mastery and various forms of experiences (vicarious, verbal persuasory, and physiological) on breast-feeding self-efficacy were assessed at 48 hours and 4 weeks postpartum among a convenience sample of 63 mothers.

Results: Those women who observed breast-feeding role models through videotapes or received praise from their partners or their own mothers had significantly higher levels of breast-feeding self-efficacy than mothers who did not.

Traditional postpartum practices and rituals: a qualitative systematic review.

Many cultures around the world observe specific postpartum rituals to avoid ill health in later years. This qualitative systematic review examined the literature describing traditional postpartum practices from 51 studies in over 20 different countries. Commonalities were identified in practices across cultures.