Breastfeeding and lower risk of early menopause

Psychological functioning has been found to be relatively poor in women with early menopause compared to women with menopause at the average age. Women with early menopause often have difficulty adapting to an altered self-image, to sexual dysfunction, and to the loss of fertility associated with estrogen deprivation. Breastfeeding for longer amounts of time –…

It matters how you give birth: mode of delivery and mental health

A study published in the latest edition of Archives of Women’s Health has found that instrumental births (those requiring forceps, vacuum extraction, etc.) and cesarean sections are related to a higher number of psychological difficulties after birth – ranging from lack of adjustment to motherhood to post-traumatic stress disorder. To put these conclusions into perspective,…

Obstretrician ´s epiphany

  Obstetricians…   Two of the mothers I visited today at the breastfeeding clinic recounted their birth stories to me. Though both had been similar in the workings (hospital births, vaginal, no epidural, some synthetic oxytocin), each mother had a completely different story to tell. For one, it had been a wonderful, empowering experience. For…

Women´s perception of traumatic birth: a qualitative study

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes a “positive childbirth experience” as a significant end point for all women undergoing labor. It defines a positive childbirth experience as one that fulfils or exceeds a woman’s prior personal and sociocultural beliefs and expectations, including giving birth to a healthy baby in a clinically and psychologically safe environment…