A longitudinal study of the subjective birth experience and the relationship to mental health.

Background: A satisfying birth experience has positive effects on the well-being of mother and child. The birth experience depends on subjective expectations and objective birth parameters, and the view of birth can also change over time. However, it is still unclear how birth anxiety and mode of birth affect the different dimensions of the birth experience in the first months after childbirth.

Assessment of pandemic-related pregnancy stress from seven western countries using Rasch analyses.

Introduction: This study examined psychometric properties of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS) using a Rasch Model (RM) in a large sample of pregnant women from Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America (USA).

Material And Methods: Rasch analyses were used to analyze a sample of 7185 pregnant women who completed the PREPS during the COVID-19 pandemic onset from April to August 2020. Psychological, sociodemographic, and obstetric factors were also collected and analyzed.

Preliminary findings on the association between maternal salivary and hair cortisol and the mother-infant-interaction during the early postpartum period.

Maternal capabilities to engage in sensitive caregiving are important for infant development and mother-infant-interaction, however, can be negatively affected by cortisol due to a stress response. Previous research suggested that cortisol possibly impairs cognitive functions important for caregiving behavior, which potentially leads to less maternal sensitivity. However, studies investigating the influence of cortisol using endocrine parameters on the mother-infant-interaction during the early postpartum are lacking.

Association between marine corps safety management system assessment results and injury rates and outcomes.

Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) have been proposed as a method of managing human health and safety risk and reduce injuries and illnesses. The investigation objective was to determine the association between OHSMS performance, as measured by scores from assessments and inspections, and mishap rates and mishap outcomes. Results for 55 OHSMS assessments/inspections across 15 organizations from the years 2017-2022 were analyzed.

The association between 2D:4D digit ratio and sex-typed play in children with and without siblings.

The 2D:4D digit ratio is commonly used as a surrogate possibly reflecting prenatal testosterone levels. Indirect evidence comes from studies investigating the association between 2D:4D and human characteristics that likely relate to prenatal testosterone. In children, sex-typed play reveals large sex differences early in development and an influence of prenatal testosterone is likely.

Resilience strengthening in youth with a chronic medical condition: a randomized controlled feasibility trial of a combined app and coaching program.

Youth with a chronic medical condition (CMC) are often affected by comorbid mental disorders. Resilience-strengthening interventions can protect youth's mental health, yet evidence-based programs remain scarce. To address this lack, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a dual approach combining app-based resilience training and cognitive behavioral group coaching.

Correlation between pain and depressive symptoms in patients with confirmed endometriosis during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory condition which affects women of reproductive age physically and psychologically in their everyday life. The most common symptom is chronic lower abdominal pain. Apart from physical pain, endometriosis often also leads to an unfulfilled desire to give birth.

Investigating Factors Influencing Prenatal Stress, Anxiety, and Fear of Childbirth During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany and Switzerland: An Online Survey.

Objectives: Pregnant women are likely to experience high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the factors that might influence the extent of experienced emotional distress are poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate potential correlates of prenatal emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Associations of stress, anxiety, and partner satisfaction with maternal-fetal attachment in women pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to exceptional stress in pregnant women. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations of maternal stress (pandemic-related and -unrelated), anxiety, and relationship satisfaction experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic with prenatal mother-infant attachment.

Methods: An online study was conducted evaluating pandemic-related stress, pregnancy-specific stress (unrelated to the pandemic), anxiety, partnership satisfaction, and maternal-fetal attachment in German-speaking women during the second COVID-19 lockdown between January and March 2021.

COVID-19 Vaccination during Pregnancy and Lactation: Attitudes and Uptakes before and after Official Recommendations in Germany.

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is an effective measure to mitigate the pandemic. Pregnant and breastfeeding women were not included in registration studies, so official recommendations to vaccinate this vulnerable group appeared belated. Therefore, our aims were to evaluate vaccination uptake, reasons for and against vaccination, and the changes in these depending on the official national recommendations in Germany.

The association of prenatal amniotic sex hormones and digit ratio (2D:4D) in children aged 5 to 70 months: A longitudinal study.

The sex difference of the 2D:4D digit ratio (female > male)-a proposed marker for prenatal testosterone exposure-is well established. Studies suggest it already exists in utero and is of moderate effect size in adulthood. However, evidence for the claim that 2D:4D reflects prenatal androgen action is limited, and the sex difference may exhibit lability during childhood.

Impact of maternal emotional state during pregnancy on fetal heart rate variability.

Background: The fetal autonomic nervous system (ANS) is believed to be negatively affected by maternal adverse emotional states. In this study, we evaluated how depression, anxiety and stress during pregnancy are related to fetal heart rate variability (HRV) as recorded with magnetocardiography (MCG). We also considered metabolic factors such as maternal adiposity and circulating levels of cortisol during gestation.

The impact of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objectives: To achieve a beneficial impact on long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the goal of the present study was the early identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly evaluating the significance of socio-demographic variables.

Methods: In this prospective, single-centre cohort study of patients having an isolated CABG (January 2004-December 2014), preoperative socio-demographic (preSOC) and preoperative medical variables as well as 6-month follow-up data including the Nottingham Health Profile were analysed in 3,237 patients.

Results: All preSOC (gender, age, marriage and employment) and follow-up (chest pain, dyspnoea) variables proved to have significant influence on HRQoL (P < 0.

Common model of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in pregnant women from seven high-income Western countries at the COVID-19 pandemic onset.

Objective: Increases in stress, anxiety, and depression among women pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported internationally. Yet rigorous comparison of the prevalence of maternal mental health problems across countries is lacking. Moreover, whether stress is a common predictor of maternal mental health during the pandemic across countries is unknown.

Pure Tone Audiometry Evaluation Method Effectiveness in Detecting Hearing Changes Due to Workplace Ototoxicant, Continuous Noise, and Impulse Noise Exposures.

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the relative risks (RR) of hearing impairment due to co-exposure of continuous noise, impulse noise, metal ototoxicants, and organic solvent ototoxicants using several pure tone audiometry (PTA) evaluation methods.

Design: Noise and ototoxicant exposure and PTA records were extracted from a DoD longitudinal repository and were analyzed for U.S.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women's attitudes and fears regarding the COVID-19 vaccination.

Purpose: The COVID-19 vaccination is probably the most important source to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recommendations and possibilities for vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women are inconsistent and dynamically changing.

Methods: An anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Germany between 30th March and 19th April 2021 addressing COVID-19 vaccination attitudes including the underlying reasons for their decision.

Acute relaxation during pregnancy leads to a reduction in maternal electrodermal activity and self-reported stress levels.

Background: Prenatal maternal stress can have adverse effects on birth outcomes and fetal development. Relaxation techniques have been examined as potential countermeasures. This study investigates different relaxation techniques and their effect on self-reported stress levels and physiological stress levels in pregnant women.

The influence of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the right auditory cortex on interference effects in memory for melodies.

The study investigates how transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the auditory cortex (AC) modulates memory for melodies under different noise conditions, whilst also considering cumulative disruptive interference effects. Forty-one participants completed a continuous recognition melody task, as well as a visual control task, which included four noise conditions for which noise was either present only during encoding (N-C), only during retrieval (C-N), during both (N-N) or not at all (C-C) and completed the tasks after receiving anodal or sham tDCS over the right AC. The results of the sham session replicate previous findings by revealing that memory for melodies is worse when noise in added to the encoding phase (N-C) whereas the N-N condition shows good performance, highlighting a context effect, and that cumulative disruptive interference is not present in memory for melodies except in the N-C condition.

The influence of being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic on birth expectations and antenatal bonding.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare birth expectations and antenatal bonding of women pregnant prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: In total, 74 pregnant women (mean age: 33.9 ± 4.

The influence of maternal singing on well-being, postpartum depression and bonding - a randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Postpartum depression is fairly common in new mothers and moreover associated with impaired bonding and poor maternal well-being. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a mother-infant singing intervention within the first three months after birth on maternal well-being, depressive symptoms and bonding.

Methods: 120 women who were recruited at the maternity ward at the University Clinic in Düsseldorf took part in this prospective, randomised-controlled study.

Assessment of Dermal and Inhalation Exposure to Permethrin During Field Treatment of Military Uniforms.

Introduction: Permethrin is a common pesticide spray-applied to civilian clothing and military uniforms for protection against biting arthropods in an effort to reduce risks to arthropod-borne diseases. During mass clothing spray events, exposure is possible through the dermal, inhalation, and ingestion routes. The potentially exposed population during a spray event includes the pesticide applicator(s) and working party (personnel who handle clothing/uniforms by positioning on the ground, flipping, and removing after spraying is complete).

Effect of noise and ototoxicants on developing standard threshold shifts at a U.S. Air Force depot level maintenance facility.

Noise exposure has traditionally been considered the primary risk factor for hearing loss. However, ototoxicants commonly found in occupational settings could affect hearing loss independently, additively, or synergistically when combined with noise exposures. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the combined effect of metal and solvent ototoxicants, continuous noise, and impulse noise on hearing loss.

Investigating the reliability and sex differences of digit lengths, ratios, and hand measures in infants.

Hands and digits tend to be sexually dimorphic and may reflect prenatal androgen exposure. In the past years, the literature introduced several hand and digit measures, but there is a lack of studies in prepubertal cohorts. The available literature reports more heterogeneous findings in prepubertal compared to postpubertal cohorts.

The effects of a music intervention during port catheter placement on anxiety and stress.

Studies have shown that perioperative music interventions can reduce patients' anxiety levels. However, in small operations like port catheter surgery evidence is sparse. The present single-blinded, randomised controlled two-armed study included 84 female patients undergoing port catheter placement who were randomly assigned to either listening to music during surgery vs.

Use of music during vaginal birth and caesarean section: an interprofessional survey.

Purpose: Evidence abounds about the beneficial effects of music on patients and healthcare professionals for many medical indications. This study aimed to evaluate the dissemination and use of music in the obstetrical setting.

Methods: Invitations to an online survey were sent to physicians and midwives of all obstetrics departments in Germany.