Universal Responses to Abortion? Attachment, Trauma, and Grief Responses in Women Following Abortion
Speckhard, A. & Mufel, N.
Vol. 18 (1), 2003, 3-38

Twenty-six million legal abortions occur each year worldwide. Of these an unknown percentage of women have adverse psychological sequelae. This article reports on interview with a nonrandom sample of fifty women regarding reproductive history, abortion experiences and emotional responses in the former Soviet Union country of Belarus, where abortions are often used as a primary form of birth control.

Transpersonal Dimensions in Healing Pre/Perinatal Trauma with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
MacLean, C. A.
Vol. 18 (1), 2003, 39-70

The transpersonal nature of pre/perinatal life enhances healing of trauma from this early time with the use of Eye Movement Desensi6tization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR has been acclaimed as being an extremely effective therapeutic method for healing trauma (Shapiro, 1997, 2001, 2002). EMDR has also been recognized as having transpersonal potentials associated with its use (Shapiro, 2002; Parnell, 1996, 1997). This article presents three adult cases in which EMDR has assisted healing of pre/perinatal trauma. The transpersonal dimension of healing in these cases is a significant focus of this article.

Gender Differences in Parental Reactions to the Birth of a Premature Low Birth Weight Infant
Lahner, J. M. & Hayslip, B.
Vol. 18 (1), 2003, 71-88

         The present study assessed differences in stress responses of mothers and fathers of premature low birth weight
         infants. The sample consisted of 45 parents, 32 mothers and 13 fathers whose infants ranged from six to forty-eight
         months. At birth, these children's length of gestation ranged from 23-37 weeks, and they weighed between 351- 
         2817 grams. Results indicated that mothers' experience more stress symptoms six months after the birth of their
         premature children than do fathers. Furthermore, mothers' intrusive stress experiences outnumber fathers' when their
         premature infants reach six months of age. These findings highlight the differential experiences of mothers and fathers
         when their child is born prematurely. The impact of sample size on our findings is also discussed, as are the 
         implications for future research.

Communicating with the Mind of a Prenate: Guidelines for Parents and Birth Professionals
Chamberlain, D. B.
Vol. 18 (2), 2003, 95-108

After a struggle of many decades, the true dimensions of fetal consciousness are emerging, thanks to a growing literature of firsthand reports from parents and abundant observations of life in the womb. In retrospect, scientific views of the sensory, emotional, and mental nature of prenates and newborns, grounded exclusively in a brain-matter paradigm, were grossly inadequate. A new paradigm is replacing it based on baby awareness and knowing. This presentation offers some initial guidelines for parents and birth professionals who seek two-way communication with babies before birth--a dialogue that promises greater safety, meaning, and satisfaction in pregnancy and childbirth.

Conceptualizaing Prenatal Attachment: Toward a Multidimensional View
Doan, H. M. & Zimerman, A.
Vol. 18 (2), 2003, 109-130

          In the present paper, several theoretical issues are outlines as important to the understanding of the process of 
          defining prenatal attachment. Each of the issues is related to the available research literature. In the durrent article,
          it is emphasized that to understand prenatal attachment, a dynamic, multidimensional approach should be used.
          Additionally, this paper points to the implications for future research and clinical intervention programs.

Prenatal Attachment and Other Feelings and Thoughts During Pregnancy in Three Groups of Pregnant Women
Zimerman, A. & Doan, H. M.
Vol. 18 (2), 2003, 131-148

This paper reports results of a study where mothers of a child with Down syndrome (DS) who are pregnant again, pregnant mothers of 'typically' developing child(ren), and first-time mothers-to-be, were surveyed on a number of areas related to prenatal attachment. Results indicated that there were group differences in a number of domains.

Fetal Attachment and Depression: Measurement Matters
Kunkel, G. F. & Doan, H. M.
Vol. 18 (2), 2003, 149-166

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Fetal Attachment (FA) and depression...Possible mechanisms that could account for the link between FA and depression are considered and the clinical importance of early detection and treatment of depression during pregnancy are discussed.

The Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale: Some Methodological Ponderings
Doan, H. M., Cox, N. L. & Zimerman, A.
Vol. 18 (2), 2003, 167-188

The development of Cranley's (1981) Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) has stimulated a great deal of research and discussion about the theories, methods and moderating factors affecting prenatal attachment. However, there has been considerable questioning of the validity of the MFAS...The present paper is a discussion of five issues that relate to clarifying the use of the MFAS as a measure of prenatal attachment. The five issues include a discussion of the sub-scales of the test, the general reliability of the test, the validity, factors correlated with the MFAS and the concern about normative data for the measure.

Primal Health Research: Four Essays
Odent, M.
Vol. 18 (3), 2003, 191-220

The titles and key words for the four essays are as follows: I. Comments on the Concomitant Epidemics of Caesareans and Childhood Asthma (Cesarean, C-section, childhood asthma, labor caesareans, non-labor caesareans, fetus, birth complications); II. Autism from a Primal Health Research Perspective (autism, perinatal risk factors, labor induction, oxytocin); III. Is Promoting Breastfeeding as Useless as the Promotion of Love?(breast-feeding, love, aggression); IV. Mercury Exposure during the Primal Period (mercury, dental amalgams, breastmilk, pregnancy, primal period).

Improving Asthma Symptoms in Children by Repairing the Maternal-Infant Bond
Madrid, A., Ames, R., Horner, D., Brown, G. & Navarrette, L.
Vol. 18 (3), 2003, 221-232

The mothers of 15 asthmatic children were treated with a therapy that repaired the bonding between their children and them. Twelve children's asthma symptoms improved; of the 10 who were regularly taking medications, 8 no longer needed them. Improvement seemed dependent upon age, with children under 9 having the greatest benefit. All 7 Mexican-American children improved, using a Bilingual Bicultural counselor to treat the mothers.

The Effects of Antepartum Bed Rest on the Pregnant Woman and her Family
Ruhlig, H.
Vol. 18 (3), 2003, 233-240

Pregnant women have been prescribed bed rest for a variety of reasons: preterm labor, incompetent cervix, high-blood pressure, multiple gestation, placenta previa, and many other patient-specific complications. However, while the prescription of bed rest has become routine, the effectiveness of this potentially harmful treatment is still controversial. Pregnant women that are confined to bed rest are at an increased risk for physical, emotional and economic hardships. By understanding these effects, utilizing appropriate interventions and educating this at-risk population on coping strategies, we as health care providers, can improve the quality of care we give our patients during this life-changing event.

Factors Related to Maternal Violence: Longitudinal Research from Prenatal to Age Four
Tsujino, J. & Higa, M.O.
Vol. 18 (3), 2003, 241-254

A mother's violent behavior toward her child is related to her psychological well-being. Mothers who were violent with their children had been raised by a mother with an inappropriate parenting attitude. Anxiety related to this attitude was also associated with violent maternal behavior. Mothers who demonstrated low levels of attachment to their child from the fetus to 4 years of age engaged in violence toward their 4-year-old children. Maternal violence was also associated with decreased bonding with the baby during pregnancy. Comparisons of children of violent mothers with those of non-violent mothers showed that the former had significantly more frequent problem behaviors.

The Importance of Psychosocial Variables in Predicting Low Birth Weight
Mehl-Madrona, L. E.
Vol. 18 (3), 2003, 255-264

An analysis of a pre-existing data set of 606 inner city pregnant women collected by the Fetal Alcohol Research Center of Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, was conducted to determine if the inclusion of psychosocial variables would improve the prediction of low birth weight...Psychosocial variables and alcohol and drug use measures permitted significant improvement in the ability to predict risk for low birth weight...

Attachment and Self-Understanding: Parenting with the Brain in Mind
Siegel, D. J.
Vol. 18 (4), 2003, 273-286

This article is an adaptation of a chapter in a text edited by Marci Green and published by Karnac and is based on the ideas explored in The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are (Guilford, 1999) and Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children who Thrive (with Mary Hartzel [2003]). It has been summarized in part in the article, The Mind, the Brain, and Human Relationships (Gynaelcology Forum International, 2003) and published online under the current title by Ennegram Monthly.

Adaptation and Resilience in Early Life: Implications of New Developmental Neurobiology for Clinical Practice
Trout, M.
Vol. 18 (4), 2003, 287-300

Growing research interest in the connections between early experience and developmental outcome--in combination with technological innovations that have made possible measurement of mental process in a way never before possible--have wiped out the last vestiges of dichotomous (mind-body) thinking, and have opened the way to new understandings about how we become the people we become. This paper summarizes some aspects of the new research in development neurobiology, and suggests implications for understanding the behavior of both children and adults. In particular, it is suggested that most behavior--including behavior that typically warrants a diagnosis--often turns out to be strikingly adaptive, often evidences resilience, and is therefore worthy of respect..

Prenatal and Perinatal Complications as Predispositions to Externalizing Behavior
Liu, J.
Vol. 18 (4), 2003, 301-312

There is an increasing body of evidence indicating that prenatal and perinatal factors predispose to externalizing behavior in the offspring. This paper first reviews recent empirical research on prenatal and perinatal complications and externalizing behavior. Brain dysfunction mechanisms are then discussed. It is suggested that (a) birth complications can cause brain damage and (b) brain damage can predispose to antisoccial and violent behavior. Finally, the paper argues that prevention strategies using a multidisciplinary approach may help reduce prenatal and perinatal complications. In consequence, such strategies may also help reduce the likelihood of later externalizing behavior problems.

The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Pregnancy, Labor and Birth
Weinstein, A. D. & Verny, T. R.
Vol. 18 (4), 2003, 313-326

Empirical data and anecdotal reports of women's experiences during pregnancy, labor and birth, as well as health practitioners' experiences of providing prenatal and obstetrical care, indicate that a history of childhood sexual abuse can have a psychological and behavioral impact on the woman that may be evidenced throughout the prenatal and birth process. An awareness of the individual needs of survivors of childhood sexual abuse during this critical time has implications for the care provided by prenatal and obstetrical health care practitioners.

Toward a New Era of Childbirth Education
Newman, R.
Vol. 18 (4), 2003, 327-338

Awareness may be suppressed in more than 90% of childbirths today, as a basis for the overuse of other medical interventions in the labor and delivery process. Current childbirth education programs offered by the medical establishment support the prevalent use of risky procedures that may impair bioligical and psychological health. The quality of awareness in the pregnant woman and the womb child may be the most essential value pivotal to needed decisive change in childbirth medicine and education. The medical paradigm has been expanding, allowing the possibility of specific changes in childbirth protocols and education. Quantum physics, meditation science, and psychological science offer insights into the nature of awareness at the moment of conception. New childbirth education curriculums may include advanced natural childbirth methods based on meditation that can access and protect innate awareness.

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