Publications by authors named "Elsa-Lena Ryding"
Objective: Although wide-spread and appreciated, the benefit of Balint group work has been difficult to determine. Qualitative studies provide new angles for research. The aim of this study is to explore how participants in a Balint group for at least 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Sweden has a largely tax-funded health care system that aims at providing equal access for everyone. However, the individual's perception and experience of the health care system remains a relevant topic for researchers. The aim of this study is to learn the patient's perspective on how patients and professionals negotiate in the social context of the Swedish health care system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Little is known about the psychological status of partners of women with severe fear of childbirth (FOC). In this longitudinal study from Helsinki University Central Hospital, we investigated FOC, depression, and posttraumatic stress in the partners of women with severe FOC, and possible effects of group psychoeducation and mode of birth.
Methods: During pregnancy, 250 partners of nulliparous women with severe FOC participated, 93 in the intervention group and 157 in the control group.
Introduction: The objective of this study was to calculate costs associated with severe fear of childbirth (FOC) during pregnancy and peripartum by comparing two groups of women expecting their first child and attending an ordinary antenatal program; one with low FOC and one with severe FOC.
Material And Methods: In a prospective case-control cohort study one group with low FOC [Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) sum score ≤60, n = 107] and one with severe FOC (W-DEQ ≥85, n = 43) were followed up till 3 months postpartum and included in the analysis. Medical records were assessed and medical parameters were mapped.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse among pregnant women in Sweden and their links to depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms, particularly focusing on differences based on ethnicity.
- It involved a questionnaire completed by 1,003 women during routine antenatal care, revealing similar overall abuse rates for both native and non-native Swedish speakers, but with notable differences in types of abuse experienced.
- Ultimately, the study found that while both groups faced abuse-related mental health symptoms, the influence of ethnicity on the relationship between abuse and symptoms of depression and PTSD was minimal.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines trends in cesarean section (CS) preferences among women in several Nordic countries, highlighting variation in preferences based on psychosocial factors.
- Results show that a small percentage of women preferred CS, particularly influenced by fear of childbirth and past negative experiences, with many opting for CS primarily for medical reasons.
- The authors emphasize the importance of addressing both medical and psychological aspects during antenatal counseling to help women make informed decisions about their birth methods.
Treatment of nulliparous women with severe fear of childbirth via the Internet: a feasibility study.
J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol
December 2016
Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of Internet interventions among nulliparous women suffering from severe fear of childbirth (FOC) by means of an Internet-delivered therapist-supported self-help program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT).
Design: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.
Setting: A feasibility study of an ICBT program for the treatment of severe FOC in pregnant women.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the relationship between fear of childbirth and the incidence of cesarean deliveries among women in North Europe.
- Significantly, women with severe childbirth fear were found to be more likely to opt for elective cesareans, with those who had a lack of positive anticipation being particularly at risk.
- The findings suggest that addressing fears surrounding childbirth may be important for improving the decision-making process regarding cesarean deliveries.
Article Synopsis
- * Conducted in six European countries with 6,923 participants, the research used statistical methods to analyze the prevalence and factors related to reported abuse.
- * Findings revealed that 20% of pregnant women experienced lifetime abuse in healthcare, with a higher occurrence among women facing economic hardships, PTSD symptoms, and a lack of support; this abuse was linked to greater fear of childbirth, especially among first-time mothers.
Introduction: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) has been validated for use in many countries. It has been used for clinical and research purposes in Sweden, but the reliability and validity of the Swedish version have never been tested.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the FSFI.
Article Synopsis
- Women with severe fear of childbirth often face anxiety and depression, necessitating treatment that addresses both mental health and the mother-infant relationship.
- 371 first-time mothers with high levels of fear were divided into a psychoeducative group intervention and conventional care, with evaluations done during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Results showed that those in the intervention group had significantly better maternal adjustment and childbirth experiences, along with lower postnatal depressive symptoms compared to the control group.
Background: Childbirth fear is associated with increased obstetric interventions and poor emotional and psychological health for women. The purpose of this study is to test an antenatal psycho-education intervention by midwives in reducing women's childbirth fear.
Methods: Women (n = 1,410) attending three hospitals in South East Queensland, Australia, were recruited into the BELIEF trial.
Prevalence and associated factors of fear of childbirth in six European countries.
Sex Reprod Healthc
October 2014
Objectives: This study set out to compare the prevalence, content and associated factors of fear of childbirth in six European countries.
Method: A cross-sectional study of 6870 pregnant women attending routine antenatal care in Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Sweden (Bidens).
Main Outcome Measure: Severe fear of childbirth, defined as a Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire score of ≥85.
Background: Studies have suggested several risk factors for a negative birth experience among primiparas. Factors that are mentioned frequently include labour dystocia, operative intervention such as acute caesarean section or vacuum extraction, or the infant being transferred to neonatal care. Another important factor mentioned is lack of support from the midwife.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study aimed to investigate how many women attending antenatal care in six northern European countries had a history of abuse and if they were currently suffering from it.
- A total of 7,174 pregnant women participated, with questionnaires measuring different types of abuse such as emotional, physical, and sexual.
- Findings revealed that about 34.8% of women reported experiencing some form of abuse in their lifetime, and about 6.8% to 13.5% reported severe current suffering related to that abuse, highlighting the need for specialized care in antenatal settings.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess whether a history of abuse, reported during pregnancy, was associated with an operative delivery. Secondly, we assessed if the association varied according to the type of abuse and if the reported abuse had been experienced as a child or an adult.
Design: The Bidens study, a cohort study in six European countries (Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Sweden) recruited 6724 pregnant women attending routine antenatal care.
Objective: to describe perceptions of participating in a study testing the effectiveness of a perinatal emotional support intervention (Promoting Resilience in Mothers Emotions; PRIME) by women identified as experiencing emotional distress after birth.
Design: qualitative descriptive approach. Semi-structured telephone interviews with 33 women recruited as part of a larger RCT to test the efficacy of a counselling intervention (PRIME).
Mental health status in pregnancy among native and non-native Swedish-speaking women: a Bidens study.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand
December 2012
Article Synopsis
- The study examined the mental health status of pregnant women in Sweden, focusing on both native and non-native Swedish speakers.
- Non-native speakers, who made up 21.4% of the sample, displayed higher levels of depressive and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, often linked to factors like younger age, less education, financial issues, and lower social support.
- The findings revealed that non-native speakers were significantly less likely to seek mental health care despite their increased mental health challenges, indicating a gap in support for these communities.
Objectives: The aim was to describe women with and without symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTSS) following emergency caesarean section (EmCS), and how they perceived the support received in connection with the birth of their child.
Study Design: In this qualitative study 42 women with post-traumatic stress syndrome and 42 women without symptoms were interviewed by telephone six months after childbirth. Their responses were analysed using content analysis.
Article Synopsis
- Childhood abuse has a notable impact on adult mental health, specifically increasing the fear of childbirth among pregnant women.
- A study involving 2,365 pregnant women in Norway found that 23.9% reported experiencing childhood abuse, with a significant increase in severe fear of childbirth among those with such a history (18% vs. 10%).
- While the association remained strong for first-time mothers (primiparas), it lost significance for those who had given birth before (multiparas), for whom negative past birthing experiences were more determining.
Objective: To investigate Swedish women's level of antenatal fear of childbirth at various gestational ages, and factors associated with intense fear and with preference for cesarean section.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: All antenatal clinics in four geographical areas.
Sexuality after delivery with episiotomy: a long-term follow-up.
Gynecol Obstet Invest
November 2008
Aim: To investigate the quality of women's sex life 12-18 months after first, episiotomy-assisted childbirth and risk factors for long-term dyspareunia after childbirth.
Methods: Two hundred and six women who gave birth vaginally at the Karolinska University Hospital between September 1997 and February 1998 and from June 1998 to January 1999 received postal questionnaires at 12-18 months postpartum. Obstetrical, psychological and sexological data, concerning 110 primiparae who underwent episiotomy and 153 age-matched women who did not, were compared.