Relation between Mother’s Taekyo, Prenatal and Postpartum Depression, and Infant’s Temperament and Colic: A Longitudinal Prospective Approach

Abstract

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.

Predictors of Antenatal Depression in Pregnant Couples

“…In particular, our pregnant couples had the highest scores and proportions of depression during the first and third trimesters, although no significant differences in scores were observed. Our study findings of depression patterns throughout trimesters are similar to those of other Korean longitudinal studies that reported the highest incidence of depression during the first (Bang et al, 2020; Chung, 2017) and third trimesters (Park et al, 2015). According to a large Korean national cohort study (Chung, 2017), women’s mental health in the first trimester requires careful monitoring.…”

Incidence and Associated Factors of Infantile Colic in Thai Infants

“…Psychological stress during pregnancy [ 19 ], especially during the first pregnancy [ 20 ], has been reported to be associated with mild gastrointestinal disease and IC. Prenatal and postnatal maternal depression may correlate with the occurrence of difficult temperament and colic in infants [ 21 ]. Maternal stress and emotion were not explored in this study, but we found no correlation between IC and birth order, number of caregivers, family income, parental occupation, or marital status.…”

Doğum Sonrası Depresyon ile Bebeklik Koliği ve Uyku Sorunlarının Birlikteliği

“…Results show that the mother's mood both before and after birth affects the baby. It was suggested that the mother experiencing anxiety and depression during pregnancy can result in bad tempered babies, and such babies were also found to be more prone to infantile colic (22). A study by Netsi et al (8) showed that there is a significant relationship between the presence of emotional problems with the mother immediately after birth, and crying problems with the baby, as reported by the midwife.…”