A Preview of the APPPAH Journal : 20 (4). Summer Issue
How Women Can Carry their Unborn Babies to Term - The Prevention of Premature Birth through Psychosomatic Methods
Rupert Linder MD
Wing of the Butterfly –A Philosophical OverviewABSTRACT: This article presents a method that has been developed in Germany, during practical work in an office for gynecology, obstetrics, and psychotherapy, which has resulted in an astoundingly low rate of premature births among the pregnant women cared for. The actual rate of premature births in the last 15 years stands at something over 1 per cent instead of about 7 per cent usual in Germany. It has been found that a threatened premature birth should be regarded within the entirety of physical and emotional processes. In contrast to the traditional approach, symptoms are not to be regarded as problems that have to be got rid of, but are rather to be interpreted as important signals and signposts that point towards more appropriate modes of behavior. Suggestions for primary prevention are the encouragement of the expectant mother to heed her inner emotional and physical state and to get into contact to her unborn child. Four case histories are included.
ABSTRACT: Based the principles presented in the book she co-authored with Judith Acosta, LCSW, The worst is over: What to say when every moment counts, Dr. Prager focuses in this article on the application of these techniques for expectant parents. This is accomplished with reference to a wide variety of background concepts, including Native American and other traditional cultures, as well as Chaos Theory. Dr. Prager’s wide experience in training doctors, nurses, and first responders how to speak in medical emergencies, including those responding to 911, provides a solid grounding in practical application of the techniques discussed.
The Influence of Emotional Support during Childbirth: A Clinical Study
Cibele Cunha Lima da Motta, Caroline Rinne, and Despina Naziri
ABSTRACT: This study aims at exploring the psychological impact of emotional support during childbirth and thus to discuss it in the light of humanized principles of assistance. Methods: clinical study carried through intermittent observation of the labor and birth, when the emotional stages of the parturient and emotional support she received from the midwife were observed. Interviews about the women´s experience of labor were performed before hospital discharge. The study demonstrated how emotional support has a direct impact in childbirth, and it gives elements to broaden the concept of humanized birth by enhancing emotional support as a key element to childbirth assistance.
Hypothesis: Preeclampsia as a Maternal-Fetal Conflict
Michel Odent, MD
ABSTRACT: The association of preeclampsia with both high and low birth weight challenges the current belief that reduced uteroplacental perfusion is the unique pathophysiologic process in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is thus presented from a new perspective, in the framework of maternal/fetal conflict. Interspecies comparisons encourage us to raise new questions concerning the potential for conflict among humans. The spectacular brain growth spurt during the second half of fetal life is a specifically human trait. A conflict between the demands expressed by the fetus and what the mother can do without depleting her body leads us to consider first the needs of the developing brain.
"Conscious Abortion" and the Idea of Abortion Itself
Peter Heun Fairfield, L.Ac.
Volume 20(3)ABSTRACT: This article, in the format of a personal narrative, presents abortions statistics and discusses the controversial subject of abortion with clarity. The proposal is made that medical abortions may not be the only option when a pregnancy is untimely. A process, titled by the author "Conscious Abortion" in introduced and described.
ABSTRACT: A holonomic holographic integrated model of early development is introduced reflecting clinical findings from prenatal and perinatal psychology as well as current western early development thought. Integrated model and discussion address: Wilber’s Integral approach, modes of empiricism, quantum physics, morphogenic fields, memory, Noetic science, fundamental sentient nature and continuity of self, transcendental and human levels of awareness, prenatal and birth therapy with babies and children, needs theory, integrated being/knowing: perception/senses, early experience and the adaptive unconscious, and the holonomic model imperative. Portions of this paper were originally published in Welcoming Consciousness: Supporting Babies’ Wholeness from the Beginning of Life.
Maternity in the Wake of Terrorism: Rebirth or Retraumatization?
Mindy Levy, CNM, MA
Vol. 20(3), 2006, 221-248
ABSTRACT: This phenomenological study aims to portray the nature of the shared experiences of Israeli women who became pregnant and gave birth after surviving the trauma of terrorism in order to learn how maternity experiences can either augment the process of posttraumatic healing or exacerbate the wound inflicted by the trauma. Data was collected via open-ended interviews with eight women who shared the stories of their experiences. Data analysis revealed findings in four categories: losses, maternity through the prism of otherness, maternity as empowerment and transformational processes. Retraumatization can be avoided and healing promoted by ensuring sensitive and individualized perinatal care.
Mother-Fetus Communicative Relationship: A Longitudinal Study on 58 Primiparae and their Children during the First Eighteen Months
Anna Della Vedova, Vincenzo Tomasoni and Antonio Imbasciati
Vol. 20(3), 2006, 249-262
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this longitudinal observational survey was to compare a questionnaire on fetal auditive exposure, administered to 58 pregnant women, to the Mac Arthur questionnaire recording the communicative and linguistic development of their children when ten- and eighteen-months-old. By 'fetal auditive exposure' we mean the natural exposure to the acoustic stimuli that the fetuses experience through their mother's living environment. Fifty-eight women in their sixth to ninth month of pregnancy were given a questionnaire evaluating the characteristics of the acoustic aspects of the mother's daily life environment and the quality and quantity of the mother's linguistic communication. Subsequently, the children were tested with the Italian version of the Mac Arthur questionnaire. Lastly, the two questionnaires were compared in order to examine possible associations between the child communicative and linguistic development and the fetal auditive exposure.
In our sample we found that intentional linguistic communication from mother to the fetus is a relevant factor that can be associated to the communicative development of the children. The frequency of intentional daily mother-fetus linguistic communication shows an association with the linguistic understanding and the communicative actions and gestures of 18-month children.
The Experience of Perinatal Parenthood and the Construction of Paternal Identity
Desina Nazira, PhD, and Lotta De Coster, PhD
Vol. 20(3), 2006, 263-280
ABSTRACT: On a theoretical level, this article aims to categorize the increasingly large body of work that exists on fatherhood in order to gain a better understanding of the psychic aspects involved in this stage of development. In a second time, the authors expose two case studies of a clinical research on the transition processes among first-time fathers. The subjects were 25 Greek men of an average age of 30, who were to become father and who participated to a semi-directive interview before and after the birth of their first child. The interviews explored the psychosocial and intrapsychic dynamics regarding the construction of paternal identity.
Womb Ecology: New Reasons and New Ways to Prepare the Prenatal Environment
ABSTRACT: This article continues the dialogue on the origins of heath as beginning in the womb. It points to the positive effects and changes that can occur when re-evaluating the importance of the pregnancy period for matters of public health. A brief review of the literature on dietary habits preconception/prenatally, and the intrauterine pollution of fat-soluble synthetic chemicals were offered. Followed by the description of a pilot study for the purpose of initiating a new generation of research. Results indicated preconceptional counselling must reflect new preoccupations based on the life-long effects of intrauterine pollutants.
Volume 20(2)
New Mothers’ Experiences of Agency During Prenatal and Delivery Care: Clinical Practice, Communication and Embodiment.
Rory Coughlan and Karen E. Jung
Vol. 20(2), 2005, 99-120
ABSTRACT: Health research suggests that personal agency plays a key role in health experiences. In this qualitative analysis of the experiences of 40 recent mothers accessing healthcare services from physicians and midwives, we found that agency is linked to democratic relationships that support women’s access to and discussion of relevant health information. While most participants wanted to participate more actively in their care, problematic physician-patient communication hampered their ability to exercise personal agency. This was not true for midwives who have a model of practice that emphasizes education and choice. Different understandings of embodiment affect the development of health care relationships.
Investigation by Questionnaire Regarding Fetal/Infant Memory in the Womb and/or at Birth
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to clarify the possession rate of fetal/infant memory in the womb and/or at birth and to validate its characteristic. A total of 1620 answered questionnaires of the 3601 distributed were returned, giving an overall recovery rate of 45.0%. The possession rates of womb and birth memory were 33.0% and 20.7%, respectively. Parents, too, responded with regard to their own memory from birth, and 1.1% appeared possessing such memory. The possession rate is relevant to the mother’s feeling and speaking to the fetus during pregnancy, and irrelevant to the irregularity in delivery. Most memories were positive.
Obesity from a Primal Health Research Perspective
ABSTRACT: Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, threatening the health of millions of Americans. President Clinton has been a major supporter of addressing the problem of obesity, especially in children. To date this condition has been challenging to both understand its origins and to treat. This article reviews the pre- and perinatal literature and related medical literature and suggests that intrauterine undernutrition (famine-like) conditions during the first trimester shows a promising area for further research to explore childhood and adult obesity.
Seasonality of Birth: Is There a Link Between Primal Health Research and Astrology?
ABSTRACT: Health from a pre- and perinatal (primal period) perspective has been mostly a theoretical construct. However, in the last 20 years, published studies have confirmed the effects of environmental factors occurring pre- and perinatally and the development of a number of diseases. These indicators point to the fact that we should continue exploring links between the date of birth (or the date of conception) and a great variety of human health conditions, such as, diseases, abnormalities, personality traits, as well as states of health. However, the effects of the environment in modern times may be much less apparent.
The Neurological Impact of Preterm and Very Preterm Birth and Influence of IVF Pregnancies on Developmental Outcomes: A Literature Review and Case Study
Mari Fullmer, MA
Vol. 20(2), 2005, 157-170
ABSTRACT: This article explores the influence on brain development, as well as the neurological and behavioral outcomes, of the preterm and very preterm infant. It also briefly covers the influence of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), multiple births, gestational age, and birth weight on development as well as giving a more in depth review of literature that evaluates the impact of preterm birth and very preterm birth on brain development and neurological and behavioral outcomes. Finally, a case study is presented based upon the experience of a woman who delivered one twin at 24 weeks who survived and presently shows no significant abnormalities.
Volume 20(1)
Being Pregnant: A Qualitative Study of Women's Lived Experience of Pregnancy
Armstrong, T. M. & Pooley, J. A.
Vol. 20(1), 2005, 4-24
Few studies of pregnancy have been designed to include the pregnant woman's perspective. This qualitative study was conducted to explore women's perspectives of their experience of pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 pregnant women (24-39 years). The analysis revealed six major themes: support during pregnancy; experience of pregnancy; finding information; changing values; model of care; and being responsible. Results suggest that women's experience of pregnancy may be enhanced offering guidance and enabling access to multiple sources of support. Future research into the health-care professional's role, and the ways in which pregnant women connect with each other, is supported.
The Factor Structure of the Cambridge Worry Scale in Early Pregnancy
Jomeen, J. & Martin, C. R.
Vol. 20(1), 2005, 25-48
The current study sought to establish the psychometric properties of the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS) in early pregnancy to determine the potential clinical usefulness of the sub-scales that comprise this measure. The CWS was administered to 129 women during early pregnancy at the antenatal booking clinic. Facor analysis revealed support for the socio-medical, health, socio-economic and relationships sub-scale domains. The CWS sub-scales were observed to assess dimensions distinct to those of anxiety and depression. In summary, the CWS is a valid and reliable measure of distinct domains of pregnancy-related worry.
Genesis of Sexual Orientation: From Plato to Dorner
Odent, M..
Vol. 20(1), 2005, 49-57
This article examines the genesis of sexual preference. Since human beings as a species are unique in that they have a sexual orientation toward their own gender (homosexuality) as well as the opposite sex (heterosexuality), how or where this preference begins is of interest. This paper examines the research and focuses on how and why some fetuses lack male hormones at the end of pregnancy, which along with stress responses may trigger a high level of activity in the mother's adrenal glands impacting the developing child's later sexual orientation. Options for future research are also discussed.
Prenatal and Perinatal Psychotherapy with Adults: An Integrative Model for Empirical Testing
Lyman, B. J..
Vol. 20(1), 2005, 58-76
This article identifies an issue within the discipline of prenatal and perinatal (PPN) psychology, namely that the field currently consists of individual practitioners' modalities without empirical validation around treatment efficacy. The goal undertaken was to integrate the PPN literature related to adult psychotherapy into a coherent and practical model to serve as a guide for students and professionals that could also be empirically tested. Covered briefly is a review of the historical and pivotal literature, a description of theory, an assessment process, PPN treatment plan, techniques to facilitate access to PPN memories, and two illustrative excerpts from sessions as examples. Finally, suggestions for methodologically testing the model are offered.
A Holistic Approach to Neonatal Resuscitation
Landon-Malone, K.
Vol. 20(1), 2005, 77-87
The emerging science of pre and perinatal psychology and developmental neuroscience suggests newborns are conscious and capable of feeling and establishing memory at birth. The science points to the potential for imprinting traumatic events at birth which may then become the foundation for future maladaptive behavior pattern and mental illness. Pre and perinatal thought leaders are calling for new models of obstetric and neonatal care that acknowledge the consciousness and suffering of babies at the time of the trauma. Nurses at a small community hospital in Portland, Maine have developed a neonatal resuscitation model that honors the consciousness and capability of neonates and may potentially minimize the risk of lasting impact.
Click on the volume numbers below to see the abstracts of articles in that volume.
