There have been ongoing social discussions on revision of the abortion law since the Constitutional Court ruled it nonconformity to the constitution on April 11, 2019. Thus, Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Korean College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists organized 'special committee for abortion law' to support social discussion on the revision of the abortion law, and they prepared official opinions of obstetrics for medical issues including doctors' right to refuse abortion. In the future, the committee will continue to adapt to changes of medical environment especially after the revision of the abortion law by collecting its members' feedbacks.
Purpose: This study aimed to review the history and examine the current service system of the Korea Counseling Center for Fertility and Depression (KCCFD) by analyzing the characteristics of its users, and to suggest measures to improve the system.Methods: Data on 883 infertile patients counseled through the KCCFD’s counseling service over the last 2 years were collected for a demographic analysis. The clinical information of 396 female subjects who received regular counseling after registration were analyzed to investigate factors influencing depression. Finally, a matching sample t-test was conducted to verify the effects of the counseling service.Results: The screening test showed that 50.7% of the infertile patients in our study were registered at our centers and received registered counseling. A total of 27.6% of the subjects was identified as being at high-risk for depression, and 71.3% of those at high-risk received registered counseling. The logistic regression analysis showed that being a homemaker, having a history of psychiatric disorder, and having undergone <i>in vitro</i> fertilization three or more times were significant factors that predict moderate or more severe depression. The female infertility patients who underwent counseling showed a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, general stress, and infertility stress.Conclusion: Screening tests need to be performed prior to assisted reproductive technology if any of the 3 risk factors is present. The rate of registered counseling, regular follow-up using psychological tests, and cross-linkages with affiliated agencies should serve as the metrics for the quality control of the counseling service. Early detection of individuals at high-risk for depression calls for an activated liaison among affiliated agencies and expanded regional centers.
Pregnancy is a period of various hormonal changes; furthermore, since pregnancy and childbirth itself are major stressors, pregnant women are inevitably vulnerable to psychiatric disorders. The emotional changes during postpartum blues, the anxiety experienced by about half of all mothers in the first week after childbirth, are usually temporary; they peak 4–5 days after delivery and then normalize after 10 days. Postpartum depression, however, is a disease that occurs frequently in mothers, and its incidence has been increasing due to sociocultural changes. In Korea, interest in postpartum depression is growing due to the government's efforts to promote maternal health. The national policy provides support to overcome the low fertility rate and to change social perceptions, but there is still insufficient medical intervention for mothers at high risk of postpartum depression. Considering the negative effects of mental health disorders on mothers and childrearing, we propose plans for more active, early intervention and the prevention of prenatal and postpartum depression.
Purpose: This study examined the current status of counseling services provided by the Korea Counseling Center for Fertility and Depression, analyzing the characteristics of peripartum women and baby-rearing mothers and establishing guidelines for providing psychological support, and suggesting measures for improving the system.Methods: Data on 3,660 peripartum women & their spouses and baby-rearing mothers counseled through the service over the last 4 years were collected and a demographic analysis was conducted. By analyzing the clinical information of 216 peripartum women and 219 baby-rearing mothers who have registered with the Center and received routine counseling services, factors affecting depression were identified. Finally, a paired sample t-test was conducted to verify the effect of counseling services.Results: An overall 20.4% of pregnant women & their spouses were screened for high risk for depression, of whom 27.3% received registered counseling services; further, 26.2% of baby-rearing parents were at high-risk group for depression, of whom 25% received registered counseling services. Results of a logistic regression analysis suggested that, for peripartum women, level of education and conflicts with partner and family were the crucial factors predicting moderate or severe depression. For baby-rearing mothers, obstetric history of spontaneous abortion was the crucial predicting factor.Conclusion: For the early detection and prevention of peripartum depression, screening tests that start from early pregnancy should be routinely administered. Further, continuous management—covering the periods before and after childbirth—should be provided by establishing organic ties between domestic projects.
Abortion has been regarded as one of the methods for birth-control in South Korea for decades, since the 1970s when the government encouraged people to choose abortion for the sake of population control during its industrialization process. Most abortions used to be easily performed because doctors or women undergoing abortions were not prosecuted even though abortion was illegal. Even following economic development, such a trend of encouraging abortion was prevalent in our society, and as a result, women used to be compelled by social pressure to undergo abortion.
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