Postpartum Depression: Action Towards Causes And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,699.00
Summary
We will recruit women into a large international study to identify genetic variants that increase risk of perinatal depression using a mobile app. Women who screen positive will be asked to provide a spit sample for DNA.
Hypnosis Antenatal Training For Childbirth (HATCh): A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$222,754.00
Summary
Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the larg ....Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the largest tertiary maternity unit in South Australia. Women > 34 and < 39 weeks pregnant, who are planning a vaginal birth with one baby lying head first, are eligible to participate. Those women with previous experience of using hypnosis for childbirth; poor English requiring a translator; active severe depression or psychosis under the care of a psychiatrist; or pre-existing pain will be excluded. The women will be allocated by chance into one of three groups; Group 1 participants receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth administered by a qualified hypnotherapist with the use of an audio compact disc on hypnosis for re-enforcement; Group 2 women will receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth using an audio compact disc on hypnosis administered by a nurse with no training in hypnotherapy; Group 3 participants continue with their usual preparation for childbirth with no additional intervention. Women assigned to hypnosis groups commence hypnosis training as near as possible to 37 weeks pregnancy. We plan to recruit 150 women - group. This is the largest well designed trial investigating antenatal hypnosis group preparation for childbirth in late pregnancy. If effective, antenatal hypnosis training would be a simple, inexpensive way to improve the childbirth experience, reduce complications associated with drugs and yield cost savings in maternity care. In addition, this trial will provide clear evidence to guide clinical practice.Read moreRead less
WEB-BASED COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR WOMEN WITH POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,714.00
Summary
Postnatal depression (PND) affects more than 1 in 10 women, with serious consequences for maternal mental health and infant development. This project will evaluate our newly developed Web-based psychological intervention for PND and compare it to traditional face-to-face psychological treatment. Poor uptake of traditional treatment relates to fear of stigma, access and expense. The potential public health impact of Web-based treatment is enormous given the 300,000 annual births in Australia.