Pregnancy as a State of Conflict

Abstract

It is suggested that pregnancy is a state of conflict which diminishes as the pregnancy proceeds. This model of the emotional state is related to physiological findings during pregnancy. The patterning of the 17 hyclroxycorticosteroids is discussed with reference to the emotional state. The relationship of the blood levels of steroids to histamine is examined and the balance of steroids and histamine in the blood is offered as the basis for several conditions in pregnancy and labor. namely, sponraneous abortion, eclampsia, and hydaddiiorm mole. The histamine-steroid balance is also related to length and termination of labor and possibly affects intra-uterine conditions and the foerus. CONTENTS

Online social support group use by breastfeeding mothers: A content analysis

“…When a woman is pregnant, births her infant, and chooses to breastfeed, her body experiences significant changes. These changes will undoubtedly be a stressful life event, the entire process of child bearing has long been conceptualised as a period of change, anxiety, and adaptation where the women is not in control of her body (Hanford, 1968; Levy and McGee, 1975; Leifer, 1977; Hobfoll, 1986; Borders et al., 2013), hence she will seek support. At times there may be intimate encounters with professionals, as well as possible discomfort if breastfeeding challenges arise.…”

Patterns of mood states in pregnant women undergoing chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis

“…), and c) time during pregnancy when assessments are made [Edwards and Jones, 1970;Elliott et al, 19831. Despite the complexities in comparing studies and drawing conclusions, certain general patterns of mood states in pregnant women have been identified through the findings of several investigators. Several have found, for example, a U-shaped pattern reflecting increases in anxiety in the first and third trimesters, with a decrease occurring at second-trimester assessments [Hanford, 1968;Lubin et al, 19751. Although the increase in anxiety is commonly attributed to the anticipation of the approaching labor [Hanford, 19681, some researchers have recognized the utility of distinguishing different concerns potentially experienced by pregnant women [Standley et al, 19791.…”

Personality and Psychological Distress in Legal Abortion, Threatened Miscarriage and Normal Pregnancy

“…A psychological conflict between acceptance and rejection of pregnancy may be connected either to a greater risk of pregnancy compli cations, or to more psychological distress. In fact, it has been observed that various psy chological factors can influence the onset of various obstetric complications [17,18], and in particular miscarriage, and premature birth [19,20], It has also been observed that premature contractions and early labor are in relation to psychopathological tendencies [21], The hypothesis of a conflict attitude to pregnancy is also supported by the fact that two thirds of the women, not in the LA group, who had previously thought of having legal abortion are in the TM group, the relevant number of pregnancies not desired from the outset in the TM group, and the presence of previous emotional disorders in this group at a rate similar to that of the LA group.…”