Severe uterine contractions in labor can trigger emotional disorders including postpartum depression in women during the puerperium. Numerous studies have shown that resting frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry is closely related to depression. Therefore, the investigators hypothesize that the frontal alpha asymmetry in EEG during uterine contractions in the first stage of labor be associated with the risk level of postpartum depression. The objective of this research is to investigate, in a 1-year period, the incidence of postpartum depression in natural birth mothers in relation to frontal alpha asymmetry in EEG during uterine contractions and resting state.
Severe uterine contractions in labor can trigger emotional disorders including postpartum depression in women during the puerperium. It is characterized by lack of motivation and behavioral changes, potentially producing serious negative consequences for offspring. In addition, EEG alpha asymmetry is one of the commonly studied biomarkers for depression. There are multiple previous studies regarding the symmetry of EEG in left and right brain hemispheres, especially at frontal electrodes. Besides, there are many other EEG indicators that predict depression which are also likely to be strong contributors to postpartum depression. The objective of study is to investigate if there is any association between EEG alterations of uterine contractions in the first stage of labor and factors that are associated with postpartum depression.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
330
frontal alpha asymmetry based on EEG monitoring of uterine contractions in the first stage of labor. The power spectra will be log-transformed and averaged across the frontal left (FL) channels (FP1, F3, F7) and frontal right (FR) channels (FP2, F4, F8). A higher power spectrum value indicates lower neural activity. Frontal asymmetry (FA) power scores are calculated as follows, FA = (FR-FL)/(FR+FL). A positive FA value shows greater neural activity in the left frontal lobe than right frontal neural activity (relative left frontal asymmetry), while its negative value shows oppositely.
Zhujiang Hospital
Guanzhou, Guangdong, China
RECRUITINGThe incidence of depression in 12 months after childbirth.
Postpartum depression in 12 months is diagnosed by using Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) by a research assistant. the threshold of postpartum depression is defined as a score of ≥10.The EPDS is a 10-item self-report scale to screen for Postnatal Depression. The EPDS is found to have satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, and is also sensitive to change in the severity of depression over time. Each question is on a scale of 0 to 3. The EPDS has a score range between 0 to 30, with a higher score reflecting higher symptom severity in depression.
Time frame: up to 12 months after childbirth.
The score of pain in 12 months after childbirth
The score of pain at in 12 months after childbirth is assessed by using a Visual Analogue Scale (an 10-point scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 the worst pain).The Visual Analogue Scale is a self-reported scale consisting of a horizontal or vertical line, usually 10 centimeters long (100 mm) anchored at the extremes by two verbal descriptors referring to the pain status . An introductory question asks the patient to express that best refers to her pain.
Time frame: up to 12 months after childbirth.
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