Longitudinal Changes in Fatigue and Energy During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Lee, Kathryn A.; Zaffke, Mary Ellen

doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.1999.tb01983.x

Cited by 152 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Lee and Zaffke (1999) found that fatigue severity did not significantly change from 1 month to 3 months postpartum. Gjerdingen et al (1993) found that fatigue was highest at 1 month postpartum (42%) and then decreased sharply to 23% at three months and remained near this level at 12 months.…”

Section: Purposementioning

confidence: 86%

Persevering Through Postpartum Fatigue

Runquist

2007

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing

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Objective: To construct a substantive theory of postpartum fatigue. Design: Grounded theory. Setting: Participants were recruited in the hospital after delivery and interviewed in their homes. Participants: Thirteen primiparae (n = 5) and multiparae (n = 8) women between 2 and 5 weeks postpartum from diverse ethnic, age, obstetric, and financial contexts were theoretically sampled. Results: Persevering was the central human process around which the grounded theory emerged. The process of persevering was explained through the relationships of influencing factors, postpartum fatigue, coping techniques, self‐transcendence, and caregiving. Participants persevered in caregiving of infants and older children in spite of an overwhelming desire to rest and sleep using self‐identified coping techniques in combination with the belief that their children brought purpose and meaning to their lives. Conclusions: The theory “Persevering Through Postpartum Fatigue” contributes a more complete understanding of the complex phenomenon of postpartum fatigue as it is expressed in the everyday lives of women during the postpartum period. The results may be used to develop and implement health‐promoting nursing interventions to reduce postpartum fatigue and its health‐related consequences. JOGNN, 36, 28‐37; 2007. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552‐6909.2006.00116.x

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Section: Purposementioning

confidence: 86%

Persevering Through Postpartum Fatigue

Runquist

2007

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing

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“…Although fatigue often results from reduced sleep and increased childcare responsibilities, it may also be related to low levels of hemoglobin. 9 Some mothers may adapt better to their return to work by using an intermittent rather than straight-time family and medical leave. Intermittent leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows return to work on a gradual, part-time basis for a longer period of time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet fi ndings from longitudinal studies suggest that recovery from childbirth involves more than the healing of reproductive organs. Most women contend with several minor to moderate discomforts for weeks (eg, fatigue, breast soreness, cesarean section or episiotomy discomfort, constipation, hemorrhoids, and sexual concerns), [5][6][7][8][9][10] and some face serious problems, such as depression, [11][12][13][14] that may limit daily activities for months. 15 Although postpartum recovery is likely affected by such common factors as cesarean delivery or breastfeeding, few studies have examined the association of these variables with postpartum health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postpartum Health of Employed Mothers 5 Weeks After Childbirth

McGovern

Dowd²,

Gjerdingen

et al. 2006

The Annals of Family Medicine

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PURPOSE Most new mothers return to work soon after childbirth. A need exists to reexamine the defi nition of postpartum health and evaluate employed women's recovery from childbirth in association with such factors as delivery type and breastfeeding.METHODS Using a prospective cohort design, we recruited Minnesota women into the study while they were hospitalized for childbirth in 2001. Telephone interviews were conducted 5 weeks postpartum. Eligible women were 18 years or older, employed, and spoke English. Multivariate models using 2-stage least squares were used to estimate factors associated with physical and mental health and postpartum symptoms.RESULTS A total of 817 women were enrolled (71% response) in the study; 716 women completed interviews at 5 weeks postpartum. On average, women reported 6 postpartum symptoms, most frequently fatigue (64%), breast discomfort (60%), and decreased desire for sex (52%). Findings showed that cesarean (vs vaginal) deliveries were associated with signifi cantly worse physical function, role limitations, and vitality. Multivariate fi ndings showed that the effect of delivery type on physical health was moderately large (␤ = -5.96; P = <.01), and breastfeeding was associated with an increased frequency of postpartum symptoms (␤ = 4.63; P = .01).CONCLUSIONS These mothers experienced several childbirth-related symptoms at 5 weeks postpartum, indicating a need for ongoing rest and recovery. Health concerns were greater for women who were breastfeeding and for those whose babies were delivered by cesarean section, suggesting a need for greater support for these women and a reassessment by the medical community of the progressively growing practice of cesarean deliveries. INTRODUCTIONT he participation of American women in the labor force during the last 20 years has changed most dramatically for mothers of infants. In 2003 their labor force participation rate was at 54%, 1 dipping slightly from a record high of 58% in 1998, but markedly higher than 31% in 1966.2 Many of today' s mothers are established in the marketplace before starting their families and remain employed during their child' s infancy by taking a family or medical leave.3,4 Among fi rst-time mothers employed during pregnancy and giving birth in the United States between 1991 and 1994, 13% had returned to work by 1 month after childbirth, increasing to 30% by 2 months, and 41% by 3 months, for a total of 76% returning within the fi rst year after childbirth. 4 With many new mothers returning to work soon after childbirth, a need exists to reexamine and broaden the definition of postpartum health, particularly for employed women.Traditionally, the medical perspective of the postpartum period refers to the time after childbirth that is required for the reproductive organs to return to their nonpregnant state, a process of about 6 weeks. 160 POSTPARTUM HEALTH OF EMPLOYED MOTHERSthan the single postpartum visit recommended at 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. Yet fi ndings from longitudinal studies suggest that ...

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“…27 Postpartum fatigue may be caused by recovery from childbirth, childcare responsibilities, reduced sleep, and anemia. [27][28][29][30][31] Infant sleep patterns and maternal fatigue have been shown to be strongly associated with the onset of depressive symptoms, [27][28][29][30] suggesting that postpartum fatigue is important in its own right, and it may lead to other more serious problems.…”

Section: Ot Her S At 11 W Eek S P Os T Pa R T U Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mothers' Health and Work-Related Factors at 11 Weeks Postpartum

McGovern

Dowd²,

Gjerdingen

et al. 2007

The Annals of Family Medicine

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PURPOSEMany new mothers return to work soon after childbirth. This study examines personal and work-related factors associated with the postpartum health of employed women 11 weeks after childbirth.METHODS Using a prospective cohort design, we recruited 817 Minnesota mothers into the study while they were hospitalized for childbirth in 2001. Telephone interviews were conducted at 5 and 11 weeks postpartum. Eligible women were 18 years or older, employed, and spoke English and gave birth to a singleton infant. Multivariate models using instrumental variables (2-stage least squares) were used to estimate personal and employment characteristics associated with women's physical and mental health and postpartum symptoms. RESULTSAt 11 weeks postpartum, 661 participants (81% of enrollees) completed a full interview, and 50% of participants had returned to work. On average, women reported 4.1 (SD 3.2) childbirth-related symptoms, most frequently fatigue (43%). Factors signifi cantly associated with better health outcomes included better preconception health, the absence of prenatal mood problems, more control over work and home activities, more social support at work and home, and less job stress. CONCLUSIONSThe fi ndings suggest postpartum women need to be evaluated regarding their fatigue levels and mental and physical symptoms. Women whose fatigue or postpartum symptoms limit daily role function may fi nd it helpful to have health care clinicians counsel them on strategies to decrease job stress, increase social support at work and home, and certify their use of intermittent family and medical leave to help them manage their symptoms.

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Longitudinal Changes in Fatigue and Energy During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Cited by 152 publications

References 35 publications

Persevering Through Postpartum Fatigue

Persevering Through Postpartum Fatigue

Postpartum Health of Employed Mothers 5 Weeks After Childbirth

Mothers' Health and Work-Related Factors at 11 Weeks Postpartum

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