Does oral iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy protect against adverse birth outcomes and reduced neonatal and infant mortality in Africa: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis?

BACKGROUND: Globally, one-third of pregnant women are at risk of iron deficiency, particularly in the African region. While recent findings show that iron and folate supplementation can lower the risk of adverse birth outcomes and childhood mortality, our understanding of its impact in Africa remains incomplete due to insufficient evidence. This protocol outlines the systematic review steps to investigate the impact of oral iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy on adverse birth outcomes, neonatal mortality and infant mortality in Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for published articles. Google Scholar and Advanced Google Search were used for gray literature and nonindexed articles. Oral iron and/or folate supplementation during pregnancy is the primary exposure. The review will focus on adverse birth outcomes, neonatal mortality and infant mortality. Both Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale risk of bias assessment tools will be used. Meta-analysis will be conducted if design and data analysis methodologies permit. This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide up-to-date evidence about iron and folate supplementation's role in adverse birth outcomes, neonatal mortality and infant mortality in the African region. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This review will provide insights that help policymakers, program planners, researchers, and public health practitioners interested in working in the region. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023452588.

Maternity care during a pandemic: Can a hybrid telehealth model comprising group interdisciplinary education support maternal psychological health?

BACKGROUND: The transition to parenthood is one of the most challenging across the life course, with profound changes that can impact psychological health. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), came the rapid implementation of remote antenatal care, i.e., telehealth, with fewer in-person consultations. A change in service delivery in addition to the cancellation of antenatal education represented a potential threat to a woman's experience - with likely adverse effects on mental health and wellbeing. AIM: To explore a hybrid model of pregnancy care, i.e., telehealth and fewer in-person health assessments, coupled with concurrent small group interdisciplinary education delivered via video conferencing, extending into the postnatal period. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental design with an interrupted time series and a control group, this population-based study recruited low-risk women booking for maternity care at one community health site affiliated with a large public hospital in Victoria, Australia. FINDINGS: Whilst there was no difference in stress and anxiety scores, a significant interactive effect of the hybrid model of care with time was seen in the DASS depression score (-1.17, 95% CI: -1.81, -0.53) and the EPDS (-0.83, 95% CI: -1.5, -0.15). DISCUSSION: The analyses provide important exploratory findings regarding the positive effects of a hybrid model of care with interdisciplinary education in supporting mental health of first-time mothers. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that small group online education scheduled in conjunction with individual pregnancy health assessments can be executed within a busy antenatal clinic with promising results and modest but dedicated staff support.

The Placebo Response in Double-Blind Randomised Trials Evaluating Regenerative Therapies for Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In the field of stem cell technologies, exciting advances are taking place leading to translational research to develop cell-based therapies which may replace dopamine releasing neurons lost in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). A major influence on trial design has been the assumption that the use of sham operated comparator groups is required in the implementation of randomised double-blind trials to evaluate the placebo response and effects associated with the surgical implantation of cells. The aim of the present review is to identify the improvements in motor functioning and striatal dopamine release in patients with PD who have undergone sham surgery. Of the nine published trials, there was at the designated endpoints, a pooled average improvement of 4.3 units, with 95% confidence interval of 3.1 to 5.6 on the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale in the 'OFF' state. This effect size indicates a moderate degree of improvement in the motor functioning of the patients in the sham surgical arms of the trials. Four of the nine trials reported the results of 18F-Fluorodopa PET scans, indicating no improvements of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurones following sham surgery. Therefore, while the initial randomised trials relying on the use of sham operated controls were justified on methodological grounds, we suggest that the analysis of the evidence generated by the completed and published trials indicates that placebo controlled trials are not necessary to advance and evaluate the safety and efficacy of emerging regenerative therapies for PD.

Neonatal Outcomes of Infants Born to Pregnant Women With Substance Use Disorders: A Multilevel Analysis of Linked Data.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the associations of substance use disorders in pregnancy with a set of neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This is a quantitative retrospective study. Three linked datasets of a 10-year period (2007-2016) from New South Wales, Australia, were examined. Pregnant women were identified positive for substance use disorders when at least one hospital admission during pregnancy or delivery had opioid-, or cannabis-, or stimulant-, or alcohol- or two or more of the four substance groups- related ICD-10-AM diagnostic code. As there was a hierarchical structure in the dataset, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was estimated using multilevel logistic regression. FINDINGS: Of the 622,640 birth records, 1677 (0.27%) women had opioid-related, 1857 (0.30%) had cannabis-related, 552 (0.09%) had stimulant-related, 595 (0.10%) had alcohol-related and 591 (0.09%) had polysubstance-related ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes. There were significant relationships between opioid use in pregnancy and neonatal health outcomes including preterm birth (AOR 3.2; 95% CI 2.8, 3.7) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (AOR 10.0; 95% CI 8.8, 11.3). Substance use disorders due to cannabis, stimulants, alcohol or polysubstance were significantly associated with preterm birth, low birthweight, low APGAR score and admission to NICU. Also, alcohol and polysubstance use disorders in pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with stillbirth. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that substance use disorders in pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Early identification of substance use disorders through screening and adherence to pharmacotherapy and other psychosocial interventions could improve neonatal outcomes.

The contribution of group prenatal care to maternal psychological health outcomes: A systematic review.

PROBLEM: Poor mental health remains a significant cause of morbidity for childbearing women globally. BACKGROUND: Group care has been shown to be effective in reducing select clinical outcomes, e.g., the rate of preterm birth, but less is known about the effect of Group Prenatal Care (GPC) on mental health outcomes of stress, depression and anxiety in pregnant women. AIM: To conduct a systematic review of the current evidence of the effect of group pregnancy care on mental health and wellbeing outcomes (i.e., stress, depression and/or anxiety) in childbearing women. METHODS: A comprehensive search of published studies in Medline, PsychInfo, CINAHL, ProQuest databases, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar. Databases were systematically searched without publication period restriction until Feb 2020. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (including quasi-experimental) and observational studies comparing group care with standard pregnancy care. Included were studies published in English, whose primary outcome measures were stress, depression and/or anxiety. RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, five randomized controlled trials and four observational studies, involving 1585 women (39%) in GPC and 2456 women (61%) in standard (individual) pregnancy care. Although evidence is limited, where targeted education was integrated into the group pregnancy care model, significant reductions in depressive symptoms were observed. In addition, secondary analysis across several studies identified a subset of GPC women, i.e., higher risk for psychological symptoms, who reported a decrease in their depression, stress and anxiety symptoms, postpartum. Due to the diversity of group care structure and content and the lack of outcomes measures universally reported, a comprehensive meta-analysis could not be performed. CONCLUSION: The evidence suggests improvements in some markers of psychological health outcomes with group pregnancy care. Future research should involve larger well-designed studies encompassing cross-population data using a validated scale that is comparable across diverse childbearing populations and clinical settings to better understand the impact of group pregnancy care.

Art-based interventions during pregnancy to support women's wellbeing: An integrative review.

BACKGROUND: The transition to motherhood is a dynamic experience. Antenatal care and education are designed to support women during pregnancy, however childbearing women often report a further need for emotional and social support beyond preparation for birth. Broadening routine antenatal care to included art-based interventions may offer women an opportunity to explore important aspects of the transition to motherhood. AIM: The aim of this integrative review is to synthesise research regarding the use of art-based interventions with women during pregnancy. METHOD: A systematic integrative review of the current evidence-base was conducted. A multi-database keyword search was implemented, and a total of six articles met inclusion criteria. Results were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. FINDINGS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Three major themes were generated: art-based engagements supported women to express complex emotion, fostered a sense of connection and strengthened personal resourcefulness. DISCUSSION: Creative expression provided an opportunity to explore important aspects of the motherhood experience including, complex emotion, identity and bonding with the unborn child. Being in a group enhanced the health effects of art-making and the social connection felt supportive when role and identity was evolving. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst research on the current topic is emergent, preliminary results suggest that facilitated art-based programs are valuable for pregnant women. Art-based experiences offer women a unique opportunity to explore the full dimensionality of the transition to motherhood which can contribute to improved health and wellbeing. These findings suggest that art-based programs may serve to complement existing antenatal care models.

Recent Evidence Regarding the Association Between Migraine and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The review presents a systematic analysis of literature investigating the association between migraine and suicidal behaviors. Introduction: Migraine is a common neurological disorder. The prevalence of migraines increases with age from adolescence to adulthood in both sexes, and results in a substantial loss of productivity due to missing days of school or work and need for bed rest. Literature prior to 2015 suggests that migraine is a predictor of suicide. Given the worldwide public health interest in suicide prevention, we examined the literature collected from diverse, predominantly non-European, populations post-2015. Methods: The databases used in this systematic review included: Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE (Ovid), Science Direct (Elsevier), Cochrane, and PubMed for all available years of publication from January 2015 onwards. The review included participants aged 16 and over who had been diagnosed with migraines with the following outcome variables: any suicidality, both fatal and non-fatal; suicidal ideation; and suicidal behavior. Results: The database searches yielded a total of 542 citations. Following title and abstract screening, 460 articles were excluded and a total of 21 citations were evaluated. After full-text review and excluding a further 11 non-eligible studies, a total of 10 studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Conclusions: Current existing research highlights the important association between the increased risk of suicidal behaviors in the clinical and general population among chronic migraineurs with/without aura worldwide. Future studies are needed to facilitate the development of clinical guidelines for risk assessment, targeted interventions, and evidence-based treatment of migraine to reduce the risk of suicide among this vulnerable population.

Barriers and facilitators in antenatal settings to screening and referral of pregnant women who use alcohol or other drugs: A qualitative study of midwives' experience.

BACKGROUND: Screening pregnant women for substance use is highly recommended in antenatal care settings. Although midwives provide routine screening for substance use and referral for treatment in pregnancy, little is known about the barriers and facilitators they experience. AIM: The study explored barriers and facilitators experienced by midwives in antenatal settings to screening and referral of pregnant women who use alcohol or other drugs. DESIGN/SETTING: A semi-structured interview was adopted to explore barriers and facilitators experienced by midwives in screening and referring pregnant women for alcohol or other drugs specialised services. Eighteen midwives were recruited from urban, regional and rural antenatal settings in Victoria. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes were generated by thematic analysis, the process of identifying patterns within the data. FINDINGS: Of the seven themes identified under barriers, five could be categorised as "institution and provider-related", namely: (i) lack of validated screening tool, (ii) inadequate support and training, (iii) discomfort in screening, (iv) lack of multidisciplinary team and specialised treatment in regional and rural areas, and (v) workload and limited consultation time. Conversely, two themes could be classified as 'client-related', namely (i) non- or partial-disclosure of substance use, and (ii) reluctance and non-adherence to referrals. All five themes under facilitators were "institution and provider-related." They are (i) a woman-centred philosophy of care, (ii) evidence of harms from substance use on neonates, (iii) experience and training, (iv) continuity of care, and (v) availability of multidisciplinary team and funding. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind conducted in Victoria. This study not only adds to the limited body of knowledge on barriers experienced by midwives but also identifies facilitators in antenatal settings that promote screening and referral of pregnant women who use substance. Most of the barriers and facilitators are interrelated. Despite midwives' willingness to screen all pregnant women for substance use and provision of referral, they often felt limited in their capacity. Availability and accessibility to validated screening tool(s), in addition to regular, ongoing training for all midwives to maintain clinical competence and provide effective communication are imperative. Availability of a multidisciplinary team, funds and specialised care facilities such as detoxification and mental health services, especially in regional and rural areas, are necessary to effectively support at-risk pregnant women.

Short-term health outcomes of newborn infants of substance-using mothers in Australia and New Zealand: A systematic review.

AIM: Substance use is not unusual among women of childbearing age. Pregnant women who use a substance and the consequent impacts on a newborn vary across studies and settings. We reviewed New Zealand and Australian literature to examine the short-term health outcomes of newborn of substance-using mothers and their demographic characteristics. METHODS: Five medical/nursing databases and google scholar were searched in April 2017. Studies were considered eligible if they described outcomes of newborn of substance-using mothers. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment of candidate studies. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed using narrative synthesis. Based on data availability, a subset of studies was included in meta-analysis. RESULTS: Although findings of individual studies vary, there are some evidence that the infants born to substance-using mothers were likely to have preterm birth, low birthweight, small-for-gestational age, low Apgar score, and admission to neo-natal intensive care unit. The likelihood of adverse health outcomes was much higher for newborns of polysubstance-using mothers, than newborns of mothers using a single substance. Pregnant women who use illicit substance are predominantly socially disadvantaged, in their twenties and or of Aboriginal descent. CONCLUSION: Infants of substance-using mothers suffer a range of adverse health outcomes. Multidisciplinary and integrated approach of services that ensure supportive social determinants of health may result in a better outcome for newborn and positive behavioral change among mothers.

Scoping review of claimants' experiences within Australian workers' compensation systems.

Objective The aim of this scoping review was to map the literature on the lived experiences of injured workers in Australia in order to better understand the factors that inhibit the transition back to work and improved health. The ultimate aim of the study was to identify areas for further research into workers' compensation systems and practices that are associated with improved occupational rehabilitation outcomes. Methods PubMed, ProQuest, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched for eligible articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals from 2001 to 2017. Narrative data synthesis was used to analyse the data collected from included articles. Results Twelve articles examining injured workers' experiences within Australian workers' compensation systems were identified. Injured workers reported similar experiences across states and territories in Australia. Four common themes and three subthemes were noted, namely: (1) relationships and interactions; (2) injured workers' perceptions (subthemes: mental health effects, social effects and financial effects); (3) the workers' compensation process; and (4) independent medical evaluations. Conclusions There are common difficulties that injured workers experience within Australian workers' compensation systems that are reported to impede rehabilitation and return to work. A less harmful, more cooperative approach to worker rehabilitation and compensation is needed. What is known about the topic? Different workers' compensation systems exist throughout Australia. Little is known about injured workers' perceptions of their experiences within these systems in Australia and whether these experiences are similar or different across systems. What does this paper add? This scoping review synthesises available evidence showing that injured workers report negative experiences of workers' compensation systems, and that this experience is similar across the different systems. This review also identified a clear need for future research on workers' compensation systems in order to promote evidence-based approaches to best support the occupational rehabilitation of injured workers. What are the implications for practitioners? Evidence suggests a more holistic, biopsychosocial approach is required by practitioners when facilitating an injured worker's recovery and return to work. This approach is also vital when considering legislative reforms, such as workers' compensation systems, processes and practices.

Barriers to screening pregnant women for alcohol or other drugs: A narrative synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Maternal alcohol or other drug use during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes for mothers and their unborn child. The antenatal period presents an opportunity for health professionals to offer routine screening for alcohol or other drugs, to then provide intervention and referral for treatment and/or specialised support services. However, literature indicates that limited screening practices currently exist in maternity care settings. AIM: To identify barriers to screening pregnant women for alcohol or other drugs in maternity care settings, from the perspectives of healthcare professionals. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in October 2017 to identify relevant studies. Seven databases that index health and social sciences literature, and google scholar, were searched. Eligible articles were subjected to critical appraisal. Extracted data from the eligible studies were synthesised using narrative synthesis. FINDINGS: Nine studies were eligible for this review. The review identified seven key barriers to screening for alcohol or other drugs in pregnancy, namely competing priorities and time constraint; lack of adequate screening skills and clear protocol; relationship between healthcare providers and pregnant women; healthcare providers' perceptions; under-reporting or none/false disclosure; inconclusive evidence regarding the risk of alcohol or other drug use in pregnancy; and concerns about guilt and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The narrative review revealed a range of barriers to screening for alcohol or other drugs in pregnancy. Further research in minimising the barriers is required to establish women-centred, evidence-base screening practices.

A THERAPEUTIC PLAYGROUP FOR DEPRESSED MOTHERS AND THEIR INFANTS: FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PILOT RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF COMMUNITY HUGS.

Symptoms of depression negatively impact on mother-infant relationships and child outcomes. We evaluated a novel, 10-session mother-infant therapeutic playgroup-Community HUGS (CHUGS)-which combines cognitive and experiential components through psychoeducation, play, music, and movement. Participants were mothers experiencing a range of postnatal mental health difficulties, including depression, with infants ≤12 months of age. However, the aim was not to treat maternal depression but to ameliorate associated problems in the mother-infant interaction. In the feasibility study, all participants received CHUGS. In the pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants were randomized between intervention and a wait-list. Outcomes were the Parenting Stress Index (PSI; R.R. Abidin, 1995), Parenting Sense of Competency Scale (Self-Efficacy subscale; J. Gibaud-Wallston & L.P. Wandersman, 1978), and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (P.F. Lovibond & S.H. Lovibond, 1995). In the feasibility study (n = 74), PSI scores dropped on all subscales, all ps < .01. Depression, p < .001, anxiety, p = .01, stress, p = .01, and self-efficacy, p < .001, all showed improvements, as did observer-rated mother-infant interactions, p < .001. In the RCT, depression, p < .001, anxiety, p = .005, and stress, p < .001, symptoms were significantly reduced for intervention participants (n = 16), as compared to wait-list participants (n = 15). The CHUGS program had high participant satisfaction and produced improvements in self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, stress, and mother-infant interactions that supported the program's acceptability and the utility of further rollout.

Assessing the Efficacy of Cell Transplantation for Parkinson's Disease: A Patient-Centered Approach.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from a growing number of preclinical studies indicate that recently discovered stem cell lines may be translated into viable cellular therapies for people with Parkinson's disease. OBJECTIVES: In a brief but critical review, we examine the use of primary and secondary outcome measures currently used to evaluate the efficacy of cellular therapies. METHODS: The current practice of relying on a single primary outcome measure does not appear to provide the evidence required for demonstrating the robust, life-changing recovery anticipated with the successful implementation of cellular therapies. RESULTS: We propose a 360-degree assessment protocol, which includes co-primary and composite outcome measures to provide accurate and comprehensive evidence of treatment efficacy, from the perspectives of both the researchers and the patients.

Women's experiences of, and attitudes to, maternity education across the perinatal period in Victoria, Australia: A mixed-methods approach.

BACKGROUND: While the provision of maternity education across the perinatal period can increase the confidence and self-efficacy in childbearing women, there is still thought to be a lack of effective educational resources for parenthood. This study, conducted in Victoria, Australia, investigated women's experiences of, and attitudes to education communicated in maternity service provision. METHODS: 189 women were recruited from a variety of settings to participate in a mixed-methods survey about their experiences of perinatal health service education. FINDINGS: Of the sample of childbearing women, 153 (81%) reported attending antenatal classes. Women perceived their antenatal education as beneficial, though many women still felt unprepared beyond labour and birth. With respect to the hospital postnatal stay, findings suggested a variation among the content imparted to women across different Victorian maternity services, (e.g. rural women tended to be more dissatisfied with information received in relation to maternal emotional and physical health). Overall, women wished they had been more informed about breastfeeding and settling techniques, while a lack of information relating to social support initiatives for the postnatal period was also indicated. Women reported that they were missing educational and practical reinforcement of mothercraft skills. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for a reorientation of perinatal health service education. A health promotion approach is suggested as it extends beyond the physical recovery from birth to encompass psychosocial factors; including perinatal morbidities that can disrupt the quality and experience of the transition to parenthood.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for adolescents experiencing depression and/or anxiety: A therapist's perspective.

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) are thought to overcome some of the limitations of traditional therapies as they do not rely exclusively on language as a medium for change. One such Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) approach involves horses as a therapeutic medium. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) comprises a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with clients to address treatment goals. The purpose of the present Australian-based qualitative study was to examine EAP facilitators' perspectives on the biospychosocial benefits and therapeutic outcomes of EAP for adolescents experiencing depression and/or anxiety. The findings suggest a range of improvements within adolescent clients, including increases in confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness, as well as a decrease in undesirable behaviours. The effectiveness of the therapy was thought to be due to the experiential nature of involving horses in therapy. The lack of understanding in the wider community about EAP was seen as a barrier to recognition and acceptance of EAP as a valid therapeutic intervention.

A Critical Evaluation of the Methodological Obstacles to Translating Cell-Based Research Into an Effective Treatment for People With Parkinson's Disease.

The remarkable scientific and technological advances in the field of cell research have not been translated into viable restorative therapies for brain disorders. In this article, we examine the best available evidence for the clinical efficacy of reconstructive intracerebral transplantation in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), with the aim of identifying methodological obstacles to the translation process. The major stumbling block is the fact that the potential contributions of people with neural grafts and the effects of the physical and social environment in which they recover have not been adequately investigated and applied to advancing the clinical stages of the research program. We suggest that the biopsychosocial model along with emerging evidence of targeted rehabilitation can provide a useful framework for conducting research and evaluation that will ensure the best possible outcomes following intracerebral transplantation for PD.

Speech pathology student clinician attitudes and beliefs towards people who stutter: A mixed-method pilot study.

PURPOSE: Stuttering is a disorder of fluency that extends beyond its physical nature and has social, emotional and vocational impacts. Research shows that individuals often exhibit negative attitudes towards people who stutter; however, there is limited research on the attitudes and beliefs of speech pathology students towards people who stutter in Australia. Existing research is predominantly quantitative; whereas this mixed-method study placed an emphasis on the qualitative component. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and beliefs of final year Australian speech pathology students towards people who stutter. METHODS: This mixed-method study applied the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes - Stuttering (POSHA-S) and semi-structured interviews to gather data from final year speech pathology students from a major university in Australia. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: The overall qualitative findings identified that final year Australian speech pathology students exhibit positive attitudes towards people who stutter. The results also illustrated the role of education in influencing attitudes of students as well as increasing their confidence to work with people who stutter. MAJOR CONCLUSION: This research revealed that Australian final year speech pathology students exhibit positive attitudes towards people who stutter. They displayed an understanding that people who stutter may have acquired traits such as shyness as a response to their personal situation and environment, rather than those traits being endemic to them. Results also suggested that education can play a role in creating confident student clinicians in their transition to practice, and positively influence their attitudes and beliefs.

Online resources for new mothers: opportunities and challenges for perinatal health professionals.

Studies have shown increasing Internet use for health information and service facilities. After consulting a convenience sample of new mothers, this study applied select terms and phrases to a widely accepted search engine and investigated its potential for providing resources for new mothers. Results of this quantitative content analysis showed that only four of the 13 phrases used in the search generated 50% or more websites containing content relevant to new mothers. Findings indicate that informational support by way of electronic fact sheets is available using the Google search engine. However, functional support (e.g., social networks, consultation phone details, and mother-infant activities) configured limited data resources using the Google search engine. In addition, because websites can be difficult to navigate, users' technical proficiency needs to be taken into consideration as well as the sites' up-to-date information. With Internet technology rapidly expanding, perinatal educators and other perinatal health-care professionals need to be informed about current online resources to help direct consumers to useful online resources and mitigate the often overwhelming and confusing information.

A holistic programme for mothers with postnatal depression: pilot study.

AIM: This paper is a report of a pilot study to identify women's perceptions of participation in a holistic intervention for postnatal depression. BACKGROUND: Approximately 10-15% of women suffer from postnatal depression following childbirth. Most programmes for women with postnatal depression include pharmaceutical interventions; however, evaluation of women's perceptions of participation in holistic programmes for those suffering from postnatal depression show that non-pharmaceutical programmes can also be effective. METHOD: In-depth interviews were conducted in 2004 with a self-selected sample of 10 women prior to and after an intervention to treat postnatal depression. FINDINGS: The intervention seemed capable of encouraging and facilitating a positive mother-infant relationship while also effectively reducing the mother's anxiety levels. Participants commented on the supportive environment of other mothers and said that they found playing with their babies difficult and needed guidance and facilitation to do this. CONCLUSION: The pilot programme was well accepted and could easily be used by midwives, maternal and child health nurses and other appropriately trained allied health professionals.

When giving life starts to take the life out of you: women's experiences of depression after childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: To capture the missing voices of mothers who are suffering postnatal depression. DESIGN: Qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews. SETTING: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 10 women who had been clinically diagnosed and admitted to a large hospital mother and baby unit in Australia. FINDINGS: Stigma is frequently attached to women who are unhappy after the birth of their child, because they are not coping with the demands of motherhood or do not instantly bond with, and love, their baby. As a result, postnatal depression can be a terrifying and isolating experience for women. It is also a complex illness with varying degrees, reasons for onset and medical treatments. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In this study, we have captured the emotions and feelings of women first hand, allowing us and health-care practitioners who are treating women to truly understand this debilitating illness. It is hoped that, in making the wider community aware of depression after childbirth, fewer women will suffer in silence.