Emre Yanikkerem

Postpartum depression: is mode of delivery a risk factor?

There are various factors related to postpartum depression. In this study we have aimed to determine the effect of mode of delivery on the risk of postpartum depression. A total of 318 women who applied for delivery were included in the study. Previously diagnosed fetal anomalies, preterm deliveries, stillbirths, and patients with need of intensive care unit were excluded from the study. Data about the patients were obtained during hospital stay. During the postpartum sixth week visit Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was applied. There was no significant difference between EPDS scores when compared according to age, education, gravidity, wanting the pregnancy, fear about birth, gender, family type, and income level (P > 0.05). Those who had experienced emesis during their pregnancy, had a history of depression, and were housewives had significantly higher EPDS scores (P < 0.05). Delivering by spontaneous vaginal birth, elective Cesarean section, or emergency Cesarean section had no effect on EPDS scores. In conclusion healthcare providers should be aware of postpartum depression risk in nonworking women with a history of emesis and depression and apply the EPDS to them for early detection of postpartum depression.

Planned and unplanned pregnancy: Effects on health practice and depression during pregnancy

Aim:  The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of women with unplanned pregnancy (UP) and to examine the associations between pregnancy planning status and womens health practice and depression during pregnancy in Manisa, Turkey.

Breast-feeding knowledge and practices among mothers in Manisa, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE to determine breast-feeding knowledge and practices among mothers before and after an educational intervention on breast feeding. DESIGN cross-sectional, descriptive study using a face-to-face questionnaire. SETTING Manisa Maternity and Childrens Hospital, which has Baby Friendly status. PARTICIPANTS 158 women in the early postpartum period. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS 10.8% of women were not aware that they should offer colostrum to their babies. Only 43.7% of women commenced breast feeding within the first 30 minutes of giving birth. Prior to receiving the educational intervention, 55.7% of mothers knew how often they should feed their baby, 48.7% knew that they should breast feed their baby for two years together with additional food, although 55.1% of women did not know how to hold their breast during a feed. The mean pre-test score was 9.9 (SD 2.4; range 3-13), and the mean post-test score was 12.6 (SD 0.8; range 9-13). The difference between the mean pre- and post-test scores was statistically significant (paired t = 15.3, df = 157, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE given the integral role of breast feeding in improving overall community health, regular breast-feeding counselling should be offered, particularly during the pregnancy and early postpartum period.

Quality of life in Turkish infertile couples and related factors

Abstract Infertility is a major life crisis affecting couples’ psychosocial and physical health. We aimed to assess the quality of life in Turkish infertile couples. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in 127 infertile couples admitted to a University Hospital. The quality of life was measured using the fertility quality of life tool (FertiQoL) scale. Women had lower overall quality of life than men. Women and men who were married for fewer than 10 years had a significantly lower emotional score. Women who had a history of infertility treatment, men who have lived in the town or village men with primary infertility and men who have had primary education or lower, had lower scores for mind/body subscale. Social scores were found lower in women under the age of 30, women with middle or low income, men who were married for fewer than 10 years, men who did not have children for 5 years or more and men with primary infertility. The tolerability and environment scores were significantly higher in women who had been married more than once. We conclude that health care providers should be aware of the factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) and give counselling to improve couples’ quality of life at infertility clinics.

Effects of physical and depressive symptoms on the sexual life of Turkish women in the climacteric period

Abstract Objective: To assess the effects of physical and depressive symptoms on the sexual life of women in the climacteric period. Methods: This study was conducted with 572 women at a university hospital. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms, intensity of menopausal symptoms and sexual function. Results: Sexual dysfunction and depressive symptoms were determined in 86.4% and 54.9% of the women, respectively. In univariate analysis, women without health insurance, with low income, being married for longer than 21 years and being in menopause had low FSFI but high BDI and MRS scores. In multiple regression analysis, advanced age of women, women with low income, unemployed women, low educated women and their husbands and women with depressive symptoms had low FSFI scores. There was a negative relationship between total FSFI and MRS and BDI scores. Conclusion: Determination and treatment of sexual, emotional and physical problems in the climacteric period are very important for the improvement of the quality of life of women.

Effect of Active Smoking During Pregnancy on Women and Newborn Health

The aim of the study was to identify the effect of prenatal smoking on mother and newborn health. The study was carried out in 700 women, who delivered at Merkez Efendi Maternity and Children’s Hospital between 1 st January, 2011 and 31 st December, 2011. Of the sample of women, 15.6% were current and 7.3% were quitting smokers. Women who continued smoking during pregnancy lived in households with husband who smoked and had higher rates of depressive symptoms and pregnancy included hypertension. Smoker women more likely reported to expose physical violence during pregnancy by their partner. Meconium in amniotic fluid was associated with women smoking status. Newborns who were exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally had deficits in weight (-186.6 gr), height (-0.9 cm) and head circumference at birth (-0.6 cm). In the study when women quit smoking during the first trimester, their infants have anthropometric measures similar to infants of nonsmokers. Smoking during pregnancy was related to low birth weight, height, and with small head circumference. Smoking cessation during pregnancy may have a greater impact on baby anthropometrics measures which were similar to infants of nonsmokers. To protect the health of their future unborn children, it would be optimal to target all women of reproductive age to quit smoking before they consider becoming pregnant

Prenatal, Obstetric, Neonatal Outcomes and Contraceptive Behaviors in Women with Four or More Pregnancies

Background : The aim of the population-based study was to determine prenatal, obstetric, neonatal outcomes and contraceptive behaviors in women with four or more pregnancies. Methods : This study was conducted with women (n=294) using a questionnaire in two family centers of Manisa, Turkey where the fertility rate was high. Results : In the study, the mean number of pregnancies was 5.6±1.5. Loving children, willing to have a larger family and to have a male child were determined the main reasons of extreme fertility. Although 93.2% of women did not desire to have children in the future, only 43.3% of them used a birth control method. The rates of gestational diabetes, hypertension, depression, physical violence, lower weight of baby, risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and cesarean section were higher in the women with more pregnancies. Conclusions : It is very important to provide women with more pregnancies who had unmet need with client-centered counseling to encourage them to use more effective methods.

Characteristics of Women with Unwanted Pregnancies and Reasons for Contraceptive Methods Discontination: Sample of Rural Area -

AIM: The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of women with unwanted pregnancy in rural area and to examine pregnant women’s contraceptive method preferences, satisfaction with the methods and reason the methods discontinuation. METHOD: This study was carried out in Manisa city rural area between the dates of January and June 2011 in women who agreed to participate in the study. The sample of the research is composed of 239 pregnant women. The research was a descriptive, cross-sectional and field study and the data was collected by using questionnaire which was prepared by researcher. Data was gathered through the face to face interview with the women at their home. Statistical analyses were undertaken using SPSS version 11.5. Descriptive analysis, Pearson’s Chi-square (χ²) test, fisher exact test, and t-test were used statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 239 pregnancies, 64 (26.8%) were unwanted pregnancies. The mean age of women was respectively 25.0±5.0, and 29.0±5.4 years, for wanted, and unwanted pregnancies. Women with unwanted pregnancies were older, less educated, they had less educated husbands, had low income level, had more pregnancies, deliveries, had less than two years interval between their births. Unwanted pregnancies were observed in women using the coitus interrupts method (%53.1), effective contraceptive methods (%54.3) and not using any method (%16.3) (p