Search Results (19)

Pregnancy orchestrates profound neurological, hormonal, and anatomical transformations in the maternal brain, preparing it for caregiving and infant bonding. Neuroimaging reveals structural changes such as gray matter reductions and white matter reorganization during pregnancy, followed by partial recovery postpartum. These adaptations are modulated by fluctuating levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin, which coordinate neuroplasticity and behavioral readiness. At the molecular and cellular levels, pregnancy hormones drive synaptic remodeling, neurogenesis, and glial activity. Together, these changes support maternal motivation, attachment, and responsiveness, highlighting the maternal brain’s dynamic plasticity across gestation and the postpartum period. Also, pregnancy induces profound physiological changes, particularly in vascular, hormonal, and neurologic systems, to support maternal and fetal health. While these adaptations are essential, they can predispose pregnant individuals to various neurologic and ophthalmic pathologies. This review explores how pregnancy-related changes—including hypercoagulability, pituitary enlargement, hormonal fluctuations, and immunological modulation—contribute to conditions such as stroke, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, preeclampsia-associated visual disturbances, and demyelinating disorders like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, ocular manifestations of systemic diseases like diabetic retinopathy and thyroid orbitopathy are discussed. Understanding these complex interactions is critical for prompt recognition, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate management of vision-threatening and neurologically significant complications during pregnancy. Nevertheless, many aspects of physiological and pathological changes during and after pregnancy remain unknown and warrant further investigation. Full article

Trophoblast–endometrium interactions play a critical role in the processes of conceptus elongation, attachment, and adhesion, followed by placental development during early pregnancy in ruminants. The attachment between uterine epithelium and trophoblast cells, which is epithelial in nature, requires epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), where the fetal trophoblasts come into contact with maternal epithelial cells without fully invading the maternal tissues. Understanding the early developmental period driving EMT processes in utero in ruminants is fundamental to improving fertility through the prevention of early pregnancy failure and enhancing overall reproductive efficiency in livestock. This review highlights the key events necessary for the early conceptus to progress properly towards firm adhesion with the endometrium, focusing on trophoblast–endometrium interactions. This field holds the potential to elucidate molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with trophoblast and endometrium attachment and adhesion, leading to reduced early embryonic losses and enhanced economic sustainability by developing effective reproductive management strategies. Full article

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive syndrome recognized as the leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity worldwide. Early diagnosis is crucial for mitigating its adverse effects, and recent investigations have identified endoglin as a potential biomarker for this purpose. Here, we present the development of a hybrid biosensor platform for the ultrasensitive detection of endoglin, aimed at enabling the early diagnosis of preeclampsia. This platform integrates the high surface area properties of nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) with the unique optical characteristics of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) to achieve enhanced detection capabilities. The NAA surface functionalized to promote attachment of AuNCs, which then was functionalized with specific antibodies to confer selectivity towards endoglin. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis of the biosensor demonstrated a linear detection range of 10–50 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 5.4 ng/mL and a sensitivity of 0.004 a.u./(ng/mL). This proof-of-concept study suggests that the NAA-AuNCs-based biosensing platform holds significant potential for the development of ultrasensitive, portable, and cost-effective diagnostic tools for preeclampsia, offering a promising avenue for advancing prenatal care. Full article

Objective: To develop and validate a device that measures the pressure exerted by forceps on the fetal head for clinical use. Background: The lack of clinical tools to quantify forceps pressure on the fetal head may impact maternal and neonatal outcomes. Existing studies have not measured the direct contact pressure between forceps blades and the fetal head, highlighting the need for innovation. Methods: We integrated fluid pressure transducers into obstetric forceps using fluid-filled tubing encased in flexible silicone socks attached to the blades. Tubing materials—polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU)—and fluids (air and water) were tested with both biocompatible and non-biocompatible silicone socks. An onboard electronic board collected pressure data and transmitted them via Bluetooth for real-time analysis. The system was evaluated on a custom-built bench simulating forceps application. Results: Air-filled tubing exhibited significant drift and low accuracy due to air compressibility. Water-filled PU tubing reduced drift but was still suboptimal. Water-filled PVC tubing with both types of silicone socks provided the best results, showing minimal drift and a strong correlation between measured pressures and applied forces. Conclusions: The developed device represents a significant advancement, as no existing system measures the pressure exerted by forceps blades on the fetal head. By effectively measuring pressure across the entire contact surface in real time, it offers applications in both training and clinical practice. The device allows for objective feedback, potentially improving the safety and efficacy of forceps deliveries. Future work includes comprehensive mannequin tests and eventual in vivo studies to validate its effectiveness in realistic settings, aiming to enhance obstetric training and reduce maternal and neonatal complications. Full article

The role of anxiety is unknown in relation to postpartum bonding, unlike the well-known detrimental effect that postpartum depression has on the relationship between a mother and child. This study investigates how anxiety affects mother–infant bonding after childbirth, comparing the Italian version of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS-IT) with generalized measures of anxiety. Examining 324 non-randomly-selected participants responding to various scales, including the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), postpartum-specific anxiety scale (PSAS-IT), postpartum bonding questionnaire (PBQ), and baby care questionnaire (BCQ-2), initial results suggest a link between certain postpartum anxiety symptoms and attachment problems. Surprisingly, anxiety measured with the PSAS has no direct influence on attachment; however, it is a strong predictor of bonding, even when maternal age, general anxiety, and depression are taken into account, explaining 3% of the variance in scores (β = 0.26, p < 0.001). This emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention of postpartum anxiety in promoting bonding between mother and child. Full article

The process of adaptation of the woman to pregnancy seems to be influenced by many factors, such as the type of conception, the mother’s age, the possible presence of other children, and socio-cultural factors. Women who conceived with an assisted reproductive technique are emotionally vulnerable; compared with pregnant women who procreated naturally, they manifest elevated anxiety, which seems to be correlated to the fright of being separated from their child. Objectives of the present research are as follows: (1) to analyze the relationship between age, gestational age, time expectancy, previous failed attempts, perception of a high-risk pregnancy, and presence of other children, with the level of maternal–fetal attachment (MFA); (2) explore the level of maternal–infant attachment and anxiety by comparing the control and experimental group; (3) to measure a possible relationship between anxiety levels and MFA in ART pregnant women; (4) to identify variables predictive of prenatal attachment. The study group is formed by ninety-five women aged between 18–42 years (M = 30.57; S.D. = 5.47), pregnant from the 23rd to the 37th week (M = 28.95; S.D. = 3.99); on which 50 women who procreate naturally and 45 pregnant women following assisted reproductive technology. They completed: Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and ad hoc questionnaire to collect anamnestic data. The results show the presence of a correlation between gestational age and waiting period, between the number of assisted fertilization attempts with the worry about their ability to become pregnant, but a negative correlation between pregnancy weeks and the level of maternal–fetal attachment. The study shows the predictive role of anxiety on the MFA. The applications and indications for future research are analyzed. Full article

Steroid hormones are vital for a successful pregnancy. The placenta is attached to the uterine wall and is the major organ of communication between the mother and the fetus through the umbilical cord and the transfer of compounds (including the production and actions of steroids) across the villous placenta. Therefore, a correct understanding and measurement of steroid levels across the maternal–placental–fetal interface is essential. We have experience spanning more than two decades and have published more than 40 papers using a variety of methods to assess circulating and placental steroid levels. In this review, we discuss various methods for steroid detection and quantitation, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. This document provides technical guidance for best practices that, in our estimation, can assist researchers in more easily and correctly performing these studies. Critical methodological considerations, including tissue collection, tissue processing, and analytical factors (sensitivity, selectivity, matrix effects, and internal standards), are covered. We highlight important differences between human and rodent tissues as they relate to steroid levels in pregnancy and the interpretation of results, and provide guidance for best practices in future studies. Full article

During the perinatal period, up to 25% of women experience difficulties in relating to their child. The mother-child bond promotes the transition to motherhood, protects the woman from depression, and protects the child from the intergenerational transmission of the disease. This study prospectively investigated if the relationship with the co-parent, the attachment style, and the bond that women had with their parents influenced the mother-fetus and then mother-child bond. We also explored the role of depression and anxiety. One hundred nineteen pregnant women were enrolled. We administered clinical interviews and psychometric tools. A telephone interview was conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. Maternal insecure attachment style (r = −0.253, p = 0.006) and women’s dyadic adjustment in the couple’s relationships (r = 0.182, p = 0.049) were correlated with lower maternal–fetal attachment. Insecure attachment styles and depression correlate with bottle-feeding rather than breastfeeding. The bond women had with their mothers, not their fathers, was associated with breastfeeding. Depression (OR = 0.243, p = 0.008) and anxiety (OR = 0.185, p = 0.004; OR = 0.304, p < 0.0001) were related to mother-infant bonding. Close relationships, past and present, affect the bond with the fetus and the child differently. Psychotherapy can provide reassuring and restorative intersubjective experiences. Full article

Throughout the Midwest United States, agricultural and urban development have fragmented natural areas, with a disproportionate effect on forests and wetlands. The resulting habitat loss, compounded with the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS), has caused precipitous population declines in several forest-obligate bat species. In 2019, we discovered a remnant northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis Trouessart) maternity colony in a small forest fragment adjacent to a restored wetland in northeastern Indiana, USA. We investigated roost selection in this colony during the summers between 2019 and 2021 by attaching radio transmitters to northern long-eared bats and tracking them to day roosts. We measured tree, plot, and landscape-level characteristics for each roost and for a randomly selected available tree in the same landscape, then compared characteristics using paired t-tests. Over 70 net nights, we captured and tracked 4 individuals (1 juvenile male, 1 post-lactating female, and 2 lactating females) to 12 different roosts. There were, on average, 3.5 times more standing dead trees (snags) in plots around roosts compared to available trees (t = −4.17, p = 0.02). Bats in this maternity colony selected roosts near a stretch of flooded forest (which contained 83% of roosts) dominated by solar-exposed, flood-killed snags. These roosts likely provide warm microclimates that facilitate energy retention, fetal development, and milk production. By describing roosts within this landscape, we provide insight into the resources that enable an endangered bat species to persist in urbanized forest fragments. Full article

The objectives of this study were to assess the safety of various methods of seatbelt use and propose safety improvements to the lap-and-shoulder seatbelt for pregnant rear-seat passengers. The Maternal Anthropometric Measurement Apparatus dummy, version 2B, was used. Sled tests were performed to simulate frontal impact at a speed of 48 km/h in the right rear seat. Kinematics of the dummy were examined using high-speed video imaging, and time courses of the seatbelt loads and displacement and acceleration of the chest and pelvis were measured during impact. The kinematic parameters were compared under the following conditions: conventional lap-and-shoulder seatbelt used correctly, lap belt crossed over left and right femurs, and lap belt attached to both thighs using an extra restraint device. Then, by applying pretensioner and/or force limiter systems, the safest condition was investigated. Correct conventional seatbelt use was the most effective restraint method. When both pretensioner and force limiter were applied, the kinematic parameters were smallest, and the best restraint was achieved. The safety of rear-seat travel can be improved by using both pretensioner and force limiter systems, which would reduce the risk of chest and abdominal injuries to pregnant passengers and prevent negative fetal outcomes. Full article

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most frequent genetic disorders in those with Northern European ancestry. Prenatal testing for cystic fibrosis may be used to plan and prepare for the birth of a child with the disease or to determine whether to terminate the pregnancy. The accessibility of prenatal detection for women with a high genetic risk of delivering a child with cystic fibrosis is determined by CF carriers and those affected by the disease. Moreover, prenatal testing for CF is mainly dependent on invasive diagnostic tests that can influence the mental health of the pregnant woman, and it is assumed that the birth of a CF child will have a serious influence on the couple’s subsequent family planning and marital behavior. The purpose of this research was to examine the marital attitudes of women at risk for cystic fibrosis and the psychological effect of screening for CF among pregnant women. The study followed a cross-sectional design with five questionnaires comprising Prenatal Attachment Interview (PAI), Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS), Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R2), the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile (PPP), and the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (MIQ). A total of 84 pregnant women were included in the “carriers” group for CFTR and 91 in the “non-carrier” group. CFTR-carrier mothers were likely to be more affectionate to the fetus, with better maternal–fetal quality and intensity of attachment. The same group of pregnant women was less scared of giving birth or worried about bearing a physically or mentally handicapped child compared to women who were expecting the prenatal diagnosis test for being at risk of delivering a newborn with malformations. CFTR-carrier pregnant women did not score significantly different results in the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile regarding stress levels, social support, and self-esteem. It was also found that intimacy and consensus problems inside the marriage were significantly more often experienced by CFTR carriers. Based on the current findings, it is likely that CFTR-carrier mothers have a better perception of the possible pregnancy outcomes by knowing their abnormal gene carrier status. Therefore, the psychological impact of invasive diagnostic tests is lower in this category compared with those who are unaware of the possible pregnancy outcomes. However, we promote a future analysis for pregnant women with moderate risk of giving birth to a child with single-gene mutations such as cystic fibrosis or other congenital malformations that undergo noninvasive prenatal diagnosis tests, as they become more accurate and might cause lower pre-diagnosis stress levels. Full article

Although establishing an affective tie with a child during perinatality is considered one of the most important maternal tasks, little is still known about the mediators of the association between maternal antenatal and postnatal bonding with the infant. This prospective study addresses this gap by evaluating a community sample of 110 Italian women to assess whether maternal pre- and postnatal bonds with the infant are mediated by parental reflective functioning (PRF), as assessed at the third trimester of pregnancy and three months postpartum. Controlling for confounding variables, the hierarchical regression analyses show the maternal prenatal quality of attachment to the fetus as the main predictor of maternal postnatal attachment to the child (β = 0.315; t = 0.2.86; p = 0.005). The mediation analyses show that mothers’ PRF (b = 0.245; SE = 0.119; 95% CI = 0.071, 0.531) explains 39% of the relationship between maternal pre- and postnatal bonding with the child. The findings of this study contribute to research on the association between prenatal and mother-to-infant bonding by additionally investigating the importance of taking into account maternal PRF as a mediating variable. This provides support for the clinical utility of interventions focused on maternal PRF. Full article

Identification of prenatal characteristics that predict later infant development may afford opportunities for early intervention, potentially optimizing childhood development outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of selected prenatal factors (maternal–fetal attachment, maternal adult attachment, maternal well-being, and previous perinatal loss) on later infant development. Pregnant women were recruited from two antenatal clinics at one tertiary hospital and asked to complete self-report questionnaires. The Bayley’s Scales of Infant and Toddler Development were then completed one to two years after their baby’s birth. Independent samples t-tests, correlational analyses, and multivariate linear regression models were conducted. Results from 40 dyads revealed that more favorable maternal–fetal attachment, more secure/less anxious maternal attachment, and higher maternal well-being predicted maternal reports of infant adaptive behavior regardless of previous perinatal loss. Infants of women without perinatal loss scored higher in external observer-rated cognitive development compared to infants of women with previous perinatal loss. While further research is required, findings indicate that a mother’s well-being and her relationship with her baby during pregnancy contributes to positive perceptions of her infant’s daily living skills. Supporting the parenting of women with perinatal loss is required to, in turn, promote optimal cognitive development in infants. Full article

Pelvic floor disorder (PFD) is a common disease affecting the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly women. Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) damage is related to delivery mode, fetal size, and parity. Spontaneous vaginal delivery causes especially great damage to PFM. The purpose of this study was to summarize the characteristics of PFM action during the second stage of labor by collecting female pelvic MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) data and, further, to try to investigate the potential pathogenetic mechanism of PFD. A three-dimensional model was established to study the influence factors and characteristics of PFM strength. In the second stage of labor, the mechanical responses, possible damage, and the key parts of postpartum lesions of PFM due to the different fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) sizes were analyzed by finite element simulations. The research results showed that the peak stress and strain of PFM appeared at one-half of the delivery period and at the attachment point of the pubococcygeus to the skeleton. In addition, during the simulation process, the pubococcygeus was stretched by about 1.2 times and the levator ani muscle was stretched by more than two-fold. There was also greater stress and strain in the middle area of the levator ani muscle and pubococcygeus. According to the statistics, either being too young or in old maternal age will increase the probability of postpartum PFM injury. During delivery, the entire PFM underwent the huge deformation, in which the levator ani muscle and the pubococcygeus were seriously stretched and the attachment point between the pubococcygeus and the skeleton were the places with the highest probability of postpartum lesions. Full article

This longitudinal cohort correlational study aimed to confirm the relation among taekyo or traditional prenatal practice, prenatal depression, postpartum depression, maternal–fetal interaction, and infant temperament and colic using a prospective design. We recruited 212 women 16–20 weeks pregnant from July 2017 to September 2018; they were followed up until six months postpartum. Data from 97 participants were used in the final analysis. We used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cranley’s Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale, and What My Baby Is Like as measurement tools. We observed a significant correlation between prenatal maternal depression in the first to third trimesters and 6–8 weeks and six months postpartum. In addition, infant temperament at six months old showed a significant negative correlation with prenatal and postpartum depression: the higher the prenatal and postpartum depression level, the more difficult the infant’s temperament. Taekyo practice was significantly related to maternal–fetal attachment (r = 0.45−0.68, p < 0.001). Difficult infants showed more colic episodes than any other type of infant (χ² = 18.18, p < 0.001). Prenatal and postnatal maternal depression affected infants’ temperament and colic episodes. The management of mothers’ mental health before and after pregnancy is important for infants’ and mothers’ health. Full article