Survey of trend and factors in perinatal maternal fatigue

Abstract

Few studies have investigated maternal fatigue, particularly fatigue throughout the duration of pregnancy and the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to explore changes related to maternal fatigue from pregnancy to postpartum and the factors influencing fatigue. This prospective longitudinal study surveyed 197 pregnant women beyond 24 gestational weeks monthly until one month postpartum. The Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale and one question about fatigue were used. Women at late pregnancy experienced a significant increase in level of fatigue, which remained high after childbirth. Those who were not happy about the pregnancy or were multiparas experienced a higher level of prenatal fatigue than their counterparts. At postpartum, mothers who were unemployed, had no one to help with childcare, or felt that the baby's night-time sleep pattern was a serious problem had a higher level of fatigue. Interventions can be planned and implemented at early pregnancy to reduce the prevalence of fatigue. Encouraging pregnant women to share experiences and thoughts about pregnancy and being a mother is suggested. Further studies that evaluate culturally sensitive instruments for fatigue are needed.

Course of maternal fatigue and its associated factors during the first 6 months postpartum: a prospective cohort study

“…Social support generally plays an important role in one's health (Negron, Martin, Almog, Balbierz, & Howell, ). Specifically in the early postpartum period when infant care is demanding, social support has been reported to help prevent postpartum depressive symptoms (Third‐person, Mori, Tsuchiya et al., ), increase maternal confidence (Maehara, Mori, Tsuchiya, Iwata, Sakajo, Ozawa et al., ) and manage maternal fatigue (Cheng et al., ; Giallo et al., ).…”

“…() examined 121 mothers in Taiwan from the third trimester to 1 week postpartum and found that the level of fatigue was highest at 1 day postpartum, showing a decrease towards the seventh postpartum day. Another study conducted with 197 mothers in Taiwan from the second trimester to 1 month postpartum reported that the level of fatigue increased from the second to third trimester and remained unchanged until 1 month postpartum (Cheng, Chou, Wang, Tsai, & Liou, ). In Australia, Giallo, Seymour et al.…”

“…Previous studies have identified several factors associated with maternal fatigue. Poor sleep quality was associated with severer fatigue at 1 month (Cheng et al., ) and three to 7 months postpartum (Giallo, Seymour et al., ). Perceived social support at 1 month postpartum (Cheng et al., ) and the amount of infant crying during the first 3 months (Kurth et al., ) were also associated with maternal fatigue.…”

“…Poor sleep quality was associated with severer fatigue at 1 month (Cheng et al., ) and three to 7 months postpartum (Giallo, Seymour et al., ). Perceived social support at 1 month postpartum (Cheng et al., ) and the amount of infant crying during the first 3 months (Kurth et al., ) were also associated with maternal fatigue. Some demographic/clinical characteristics associated with higher levels of maternal fatigue are: lower socio‐economic status (Giallo, Seymour et al., ), caesarean delivery (Lai, Hung, Stocker, Chan, & Liu, ) and primiparity (Hattori & Nakajima, ).…”

Demographic, maternal, and infant health correlates of post‐partum depression in Jordan

“…Unemployed women and housewives were more depressed than employed women in Malaysia (Zainal et al, ) and Lebanon (Chaaya et al, ). Cheng et al () found that unemployment was a serious problem, with higher levels of fatigue within a period of 24 weeks of gestation and until one month after birth.…”