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This review examines the association between postpartum depression and breastfeeding in the context of studies published between 2015 and 2022. The goal of those studies was to determine the impact of depression on breastfeeding and vice versa. After conducting in-depth research on 15 studies that varied in location, population, and method of evaluation, a high degree of agreement was observed in their findings. Postpartum depression has a significant impact on breastfeeding percentages, whereas breastfeeding appears to improve the mother's psychological status and significantly reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These findings emphasize the complex relationship between postpartum depression and breastfeeding and validate the need for additional research.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects, including onphysical and mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s health, especially on women’s sexual life includingdesire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction. The initial research in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus yielded 573 articles from Europe (Portugal, Poland, Italy, Greece), America (U.S, Brazil) and Africa (Egypt), of which 14 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results from the studies suggest that the pandemic negatively affected sexual functioning and satisfaction, while it increased sexual distress, sexual avoidance and solitary sexual approach behaviors. The desire to have children decreased during the pandemic, but so didthe use of contraception. There is conflicting evidence as to whether or not the pandemic has had an impact on sexual desire and frequency among women. However, some major factors associated with sexual life were psychological factors and working status. It is well documented that the pandemic has had a great psychological impact. Therefore, both of these factors are expected to significantly affect women’s sexual life.

Introduction Childhood obesity is a significant problem nowadays, with breastfeeding being one of many factors responsible for this issue. Breastfeeding as a natural way of feeding infants has many benefits for the child, the mother, and society. Aim The present study aimed to investigate the association between overweight children in preschool age and breastfeeding duration. Methods The current study included 674 preschool children aged 2-5 who attended various municipal kindergartens in South Athens. Questionnaires were given to parents where they recorded the child's personal and body data, parenting, and questions about pregnancy and lactation. The effect of BMI on the duration of breastfeeding in children was examined by the chi-square independence test. Fisher's and Monte Carlo simulations were also used. For data processing, Z scores and percentiles BMI for the first, second until fifth year of the child were found and based on these values the following categorization was performed; for values below -2 as low weight, values from -2 to 1 as normal weight, from 2 to 3 as overweight and over 3 as obese children. The Corresponding categorization was based on the 3rd, 85th, 97th, and 99.9th percentage position. Results The percentage of children at preschool age who have been breastfed for over six months and had normal weight was higher than those who breastfed below six months. Moreover, the proportion of children who were low weight, overweight and obese was lower in children who had been breastfed more than six months compared to those who breastfed for a shorter period. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was found for the effect of breastfeeding on childhood obesity in children aged 2 to 5 years. Conclusion There is a statistical association between breastfeeding duration and body weight in preschool age. Breastfeeding for more than six months has a positive impact on the child's weight.

Background: Exercise seems to protect from breast cancer (BC) and this protection is likely mediated through weight control during menopause. Considering that night work is associated with higher risk for BC. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the possible relation of BC risk to daytime or nighttime hours of exercise. Methods: The material was taken from primary elements of a doctoral thesis at the Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica that examines the impact of the characteristics of exercising on BC. The data were obtained from relevant questionnaires filled in at a big private hospital, following a relevant permit of the scientific committee, and adjusted Google Forms, ensuring anonymity. Results: Almost 3 times more women without a history of BC were exclusively exercising during the daytime compared to the ones with a history of BC who were exclusively exercising during the nighttime (40 vs 15). On the contrary, a smaller number of women without a history of BC were exclusively exercising during the nighttime compared to the ones with a history of BC who were exclusively exercising during the nighttime (17 vs 20) (odds ratio >3 with a confidence interval >1 to >7.5 and p

Background Cesarean section (CS) rates have been increasing worldwide with different effects on maternal and neonatal health. Factors responsible for the growing trend of CSs, include maternal characteristics, medical insurance and convenient scheduling or financial incentives. Effective interventions and guidelines are required to reduce CS rates. Objective The aim of this research was to investigate the factors contributing to CS rate increase and their correlation with international guidelines. Methods The performed analysis included the available socio-demographic and medical information retrieved from the medical records and a related questionnaire in both emergency and elective CSs. Results Out of the included 633 births, the cesarean delivery rate was 58%. Women with a previous CS showed higher percentages for Elective CS (66.1%) compared to Emergency CSs for the same reasons (8.9%). Furthermore, 23% of the patients underwent an Emergency CS because of failure of labor to progress while 18% of CSs were due to maternal desire. Conclusion The high rates of CS in Greece demonstrate the lack of use of international obstetric protocols, national strategies, Cesarean Section audits and a significant shortage of midwives. A decrease in iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic factors leading to the primary CS will decrease CS rates.

An emergency cesarean delivery can be a traumatic childbirth experience for a woman and a risk factor for postpartum psychosis, especially in a patient with a history of bipolar disorder. This article describes the case of a pregnant woman with an unknown history of bipolar disorder who developed an acute psychotic reaction during the procedure of an emergency caesarian section and switched to mania. The purpose of this case study is for perinatal health care professionals to identify suspicious symptoms and promptly refer to psychiatric services so as to ensure the mother’s and the newborn’s safety. This case study highlights the importance of assessing women with bipolar disorder or a previous psychotic episode for the risk of psychiatric complications in pregnancy and after childbirth. Midwifery education on perinatal mental health is crucial for the detection of suspicious symptoms and early referral to a specialist.

Zika virus is a newly emerging disease with little previous information related to its clinical, epidemiological and socioeconomic effects. The complexityof prevention, treatment and care to infected women and neonates, makes Zika one of the major public health problems. We provide an overview of Zika virus infection and the risk of microcephaly in the context of perinatal public health.

Background Cesarean Section was historically performed to save the lives of mothers and infants. Ηowever, in the past decades, a significant increase in Cesarean Section rates have been observed in Greece and worldwide. The purpose of this research was to investigate the contributing factors to the increase in the Cesarean Section rate (emergency and elective) and postoperative complications.Methods A total of births in 6 months (August 2019- February 2020) at the University Hospital of Larisa in Greece was collected. The performed analysis included the available socio-demographic and medical information in the medical records and a socio-demographic and medical questionnaire for women with cesarean deliveries. We also analyzed the importance of the variables in cesarean deliveries compared to vaginal deliveries and postoperative complications.Results Out of the total number of the included 633 births, the vaginal delivery rate was 42% (n = 268), and the cesarean delivery rate was 58% (n = 365); Elective Cesarean Section was performed in 36% (n = 230) of the Cesarean Section cases and Emergency Cesarean Section in 22% (n = 135). Women with a previous Cesarean Section and women with in vitro fertilization showed higher percentages for Elective Cesarean Section (46%) compared to women who underwent an Emergency Cesarean Section for the same reasons (42.2%). Besides, a higher percentage of Emergency Cesarean Sections was observed in women living in urban centers (OR = 4.044, p = 0.002) and those diagnosed with stress disorders (OR = 7.048, p = 0.004). Furthermore, Cesarean Section complications were more common among women having undergone Emergency Cesarean Section (OR = 10.357, p Conclusion The overall high rates of Cesarean Section in Greece demonstrate the lack of national strategies and prevention mechanisms from iatrogenic interventions and lack of promoting good midwifery practices. More specifically, a decrease in iatrogenic factors leading to the primary Cesarean Section will decrease Cesarean Section rates in Greece.

There is high degree of prevalence and variety of risk factors of postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, some postpartum women seem to struggle with their past traumatic life events and previous PTSD can result in them sinking deeper into a new PTSD, a postpartum PTSD. The person who has undergone detoxification has endured a very painful process and there is a strong association between drug addiction and mortality. The aim of this case report study is to raise the understanding of health professionals regarding the impact that these two factors might have on ex-drug addicted women. Data were collected from the Maternity unit of the University Hospital of Larisa in Greece. A mother on day 2 after elective cesarean section confirmed her participation and filled in a Life Events Checklist (LEC-5), Posttraumatic Checklist (PCL-5), Criteria A, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. After the sixth postpartum week, the woman answered via telephone, adapted for postpartum PCL-5. This case study describes vividly and painfully the impact of past drug addiction not only on her cesarean section but also how it affected her postpartum period. Eight past traumatic life events led to the creation of a chronic PTSD, i.e., trauma re-experiencing, avoidance, negative thoughts and feelings, agitation, and reactivity. Unfortunately, in cases of traumatic childbirth, especially cesarean section, when there are past traumatic experiences, such as addiction or sexual abuse, postpartum PTSD is an unbearable experience.

It was late 2015 when Northeast Brazil noticed a worrying increase in neonates born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations. These abnormalities, characterized by an abnormally small head and often neurological impairment and later termed Congenital Zika Syndrome, describe the severity of neurodevelopmental and nephrological outcomes in early childhood, and the implication of microcephaly at birth. The purpose of the study was to describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to Zika virus during fetal life, with and without microcephaly at birth. The systematic review included research studies about the neurodevelopmental outcomes with and without microcephaly, as well as nephrological outcomes in early childhood. We searched PubMed, Crossref, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar publications and selected 19 research articles published from 2018 to 2021. Most studies have linked the severity of microcephaly in childbirth to the neurodevelopmental and urinary outcomes in early childhood. However, most children without microcephaly at birth develop typically, while others may be at risk for language impairment.

Background So far, multiple factors have been found to be related to the IVF procedure, the most prevalent being extremes of maternal age, infections, previous gynecological history, infertility and others. Although women achieve the coveted pregnancy with the development of IVF technology, the rapid increase contributes to the increase of primary cesarean sections rates. Objective The aim of the study was to identify if the kind of conception affects the kind of cesarean delivery among primiparous women in Greece. Methods This cross-sectional observational study took place from September 2019 to February 2020 at the University Hospital of Larisa in Greece. One hundred and sixty-two primiparous women who underwent a cesarean section (c-section) after IVF (n=27) and natural conception (n=135) participated in the study. Results The mean age of the IVF and natural conception groups were 36.22 and 31.08 years, respectively. Nineteen (70.4%) women of the IVF group had a previous medical or gynecological history in contrast to 48 (35.6%) women of the natural conception group. Only 55.6% of the IVF group had a full-term pregnancy unlike 88.1% of women in the natural conception group. An elective c-section was performed in 18 (66.7%) of the women who conceived after IVF, as opposed to 45 (33.3%) of the women who conceived naturally. Conclusion This cross-sectional study showed that IVF conception was associated with high rates of elective cesarean section as opposed to women with natural conception. The causes of c-sections must be evidence based because the primary cesarean delivery is a major factor contributing to increased c-section rates.

The global epidemic of Zika virus has been a major public health problem affecting pregnant women and their infants. Zika virus causes a viral disease transmitted to humans mainly by the infected Aedes mosquito bite. The infection is not severe in most cases; however, there is evidence that infection during pregnancy may be associated with fetal genetic abnormalities (including microcephaly). In addition to microcephaly and other malformations, some specific lesions in the central nervous system have been reported. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the risk of developing microcephaly in infants whose mothers were infected with Zika virus in pregnancy. Epidemiological studies and case reports were incorporated in our review, finally including 15 articles from an initial pool of 355 related papers. Most studies have linked maternal infection during pregnancy to the development of neonatal microcephaly. The period considered most dangerous is the first trimester and the beginning or the whole of the second trimester. In order to understand the relationship between Zika virus and microcephaly in infants, a cohort study will be able to estimate the time from the onset of Zika infection and the full spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Introduction Cesarean Section is a surgical procedure which can be life saving and necessary in some circumstances. Nonetheless, Cesarean Delivery continues to result in increased complications for subsequent deliveries as well as increased financial costs. This phenomenon raises concerns over the growing rates of Cesarean deliveries among women at low risk for a complicated birth whose first delivery was by Cesarean Section for non-medical reasons. Aim The aim of this study was to determine whether PCS is a main factor in the overall percentage of CS in Greece and define the causes of elective and emergency cesarean sections in primary ones. Methods From 365 cesarean deliveries during the research period, a sample of 162 women who underwent a primary cesarean section at a Greek University hospital has consented to participate. Medical and demographic data as well as data from women's medical dossier were used in the day 3 postpartum. Results Out of 162 primiparous mothers, 38.9% underwent an emergency cesarean section and 61.1% an elective cesarean section. Furthermore, the results show that women, who had been diagnosed with stress disorders or depression, with abnormal fetal heart rate, pathological NST/Doppler and had developed complications after cesarean section, were more likely to undergo an emergency cesarean delivery. Conclusion This survey shows the lack of evidence-based guidelines in obstetrician's practice and the lack of perinatal support centers in Greece. Primary CS can be characterized as a key factor in the overall increase of CS, given the vicious cycle of recurrence of a Cesarean delivery.