BACKGROUND Research indicates that poor sleep is associated with postpartum depression; however, little is known regarding this relationship among postpartum women who are at high for postpartum depression. This study examined the relationship between changes in self-reported sleep patterns (from six weeks to seven months postpartum) and depressive symptoms at seven months postpartum among wome...

Although suicide is a leading cause of death among new mothers during the postpartum period, there has been limited research on self-harm in the postpartum period and associated risk factors. One potential risk factor for suicidality (completed suicides, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation including thoughts of self harm) during the postpartum period is postpartum depression (PPD). In this s...

OBJECTIVES To analyze data from recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 21 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to examine patterns of interpregnancy intervals, unmet need, pregnancy risk and family planning method use and method mix among women 0-23 months postpartum. STUDY DESIGN Secondary analysis of postpartum women aged 15-49 years in 22 DHS surveys from 21 LMICs con...

During the postpartum period, women experience significant changes in their neuroendocrine profiles and social behavior compared to before pregnancy. A common experience with motherhood is a decrease in sexual desire. Although the lifestyle and peripheral physiological changes associated with parturition might decrease a woman's sexual interest, we hypothesized that there are also hormone-media...

background and aim: postpartum period is often associated with decreased marital satisfaction in couples. the present study aimed to investigate factors contributing to marital satisfaction in primiparous women during postpartum period. methods: this correlational study was performed on 104 primiparous women who referred to health care centers, mashhad, iran in 2013, 8 weeks after delivery, to ...

BACKGROUND The relation between postpartum weight retention and breastfeeding practices is controversial. OBJECTIVE Defining breastfeeding as the period when a child is exclusively or predominantly breastfed, we studied the association between breastfeeding duration and postpartum weight retention. DESIGN We followed 405 women aged 18-45 y who were assessed at 0.5, 2, 6, and 9 mo postpartum...

BACKGROUND Few studies measure physical activity objectively or at multiple time points during postpartum. We describe physical activity at 3- and 12-months postpartum among a cohort of women using both self-reported and objective measures. METHODS In total, 181 women completed the 3-month postpartum measures, and 204 women completed the 12-month postpartum measures. Participants wore an Acti...

BACKGROUND HIV acquisition in pregnancy and breastfeeding contributes significantly toward pediatric HIV infection. However, little is known about how sexual behavior changes during pregnancy and postpartum periods which will help develop targeted HIV prevention and transmission interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS Cross-sectional study in HIV-infected and uninfec...

OBJECTIVE To estimate rates of postpartum glucose tolerance testing in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to assess factors associated with testing. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of 344 women with GDM who received prenatal care in a maternal diabetes clinic during 2001-2004. Rates of postpartum glucose testing were estimated from hospital, clinic, and...