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The Social Context of Pregnancy, Respectful Maternity Care, Biomarkers of Weathering, and Postpartum Mental Health Inequities: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Bridget Basile-Ibrahim

    (School of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, CT 06477, USA)

  • Joan Combellick

    (School of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, CT 06477, USA)

  • Thomas L. Mead

    (Biomedical Libraries, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Alee Sorensen

    (School of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, CT 06477, USA)

  • Janene Batten

    (Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA)

  • Robyn Schafer

    (Division of Advanced Nursing Practice, School of Nursing, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07107, USA
    Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

Abstract

Background: Mental health disorders are the number one cause of maternal mortality and a significant maternal morbidity. This scoping review sought to understand the associations between social context and experiences during pregnancy and birth, biological indicators of stress and weathering, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Methods: A scoping review was performed using PRISMA-ScR guidance and JBI scoping review methodology. The search was conducted in OVID Medline and Embase. Results: This review identified 74 eligible English-language peer-reviewed original research articles. A majority of studies reported significant associations between social context, negative and stressful experiences in the prenatal period, and a higher incidence of diagnosis and symptoms of PMADs. Included studies reported significant associations between postpartum depression and prenatal stressors (n = 17), socioeconomic disadvantage (n = 14), negative birth experiences (n = 9), obstetric violence (n = 3), and mistreatment by maternity care providers (n = 3). Birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was positively associated with negative birth experiences (n = 11), obstetric violence (n = 1), mistreatment by the maternity care team (n = 1), socioeconomic disadvantage (n = 2), and prenatal stress (n = 1); and inverse association with supportiveness of the maternity care team (n = 5) and presence of a birth companion or doula (n = 4). Postpartum anxiety was significantly associated with negative birth experiences (n = 2) and prenatal stress (n = 3). Findings related to associations between biomarkers of stress and weathering, perinatal exposures, and PMADs (n = 14) had mixed significance. Conclusions: Postpartum mental health outcomes are linked with the prenatal social context and interactions with the maternity care team during pregnancy and birth. Respectful maternity care has the potential to reduce adverse postpartum mental health outcomes, especially for persons affected by systemic oppression.

Suggested Citation

  • Bridget Basile-Ibrahim & Joan Combellick & Thomas L. Mead & Alee Sorensen & Janene Batten & Robyn Schafer, 2024. "The Social Context of Pregnancy, Respectful Maternity Care, Biomarkers of Weathering, and Postpartum Mental Health Inequities: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-27, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:480-:d:1376076
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anders Larrabee Sonderlund & Antoinette Schoenthaler & Trine Thilsing, 2021. "The Association between Maternal Experiences of Interpersonal Discrimination and Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-31, February.
    2. Geronimus, A.T. & Hicken, M. & Keene, D. & Bound, J., 2006. ""Weathering" and age patterns of allostatic load scores among blacks and whites in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(5), pages 826-833.
    3. Felix Akpojene Ogbo & Osita Kingsley Ezeh & Mansi Vijaybhai Dhami & Sabrina Naz & Sarah Khanlari & Anne McKenzie & Kingsley Agho & Andrew Page & Jane Ussher & Janette Perz & John Eastwood, 2019. "Perinatal Distress and Depression in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian Women: The Role of Psychosocial and Obstetric Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-22, August.
    4. Anna Suarez & Vera Yakupova, 2023. "Past Traumatic Life Events, Postpartum PTSD, and the Role of Labor Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-17, June.
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