Great new book - 'Psychology for Midwives'

I am delighted that one of my much admired and loved contacts over recent years, Maureen Raynor,  has now had her third book published, along with a colleague of hers, Carole England.

Maureen lets me loose on her midwifery students at Nottingham on a regular basis!

Here are the details of the book from
http://mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/033523433X.html

"Psychology for Midwives" is an excellent aid in grasping the key concepts of psychology in a focused way, clearly demonstrating how the key concepts can be used within modern day midwifery practice settings. This is an easy to use, informative guide, with up to date sources of evidence."
Kimberley Skinner, Student Midwife, Anglia Ruskin University, UK

"Communication isn't just about giving information. It is about creating relationships. This book is studded with academic references, but can also help midwives understand and interact with their clients in a satisfying way." Sheila Kitzinger, Honorary Professor at Thames Valley University, UK

This accessible, evidence-based book explores how important it is for midwives to understand the psychological aspects of care, in order to create positive experiences for mothers and families. The book provides simple explanations for why psychological care matters in midwifery practice and uses different theoretical perspectives of psychology to illustrate how it fundamentally contributes to good midwifery practice.

The book addresses many core concepts and principles of psychology, including:

• Mother-midwife relationship
• Emotions during the childbearing continuum
• Perinatal mental illness
• Communications in midwifery practice
• The birth environment
• Stress and anxiety
• Providing support to families
• Attachment and bonding

Reflective questions, activities, illustrations, tables, summary boxes and a glossary help readers navigate the book.

One of the first books of its kind, Psychology for Midwives is essential reading for all midwives, students and allied health care professionals interested in the psychological dimensions of childbearing. 

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com

New postnatal support group in Leeds! Do you want one too?

I am delighted to say that a support group which was my vision for collaboration between NHS, children's centre, voluntary sector and a church has taken off!

No extra funding has been needed - just brought people together!

This morning sees the first session at St.Peter's Church in Morley, Leeds. The group is open across a much wider area and transport can be arranged if needed.

For full information read here
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31350361/Morley-North-Post-Natal-Depression-Group-Leaflet

Read the background here in an earlier blog
http://elainehanzak.blogspot.com/2009/10/church-nspcc-and-postnatal-illness.html

My thanks go to all those lovely people who have made this possible!

Let me know if you would like me to kick start this in your area!

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com

In the news!

Here is the link to an event I am doing next week in Cheshire.

It's a new session aimed at expectant Mums and Dads!

http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2010/05/13/halton-council-and-pct-launches-scheme-for-parents-at-ditton-children-s-centre-55368-26431396/ 

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com

Beyond postpartum - treating depression in mothers of older children

The Mental Health Foundation have reported on 'Beyond postpartum- treating depression in mothers of older children'.

Depression among economically disadvantaged mothers could last well beyond the postpartum period and become a chronic condition, suggests a new study by researchers at Yale School of Medicine. The study also finds that symptoms could improve with brief treatment.

The results will be presented May 1 by lead author Carol C. Weitzman, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and in the Child Study Center at Yale School at Yale School of Medicine, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia Medicine.

Depression in underserved women of childbearing age is extremely common, and nearly one in five mothers of children age one and older reports moderate to severe depressive symptoms, according to Weitzman.

"This finding reinforces that depression in mothers is not restricted to the postpartum period, and in fact after the postpartum period as children get older, the prevalence of maternal depression may be higher," said Weitzman.

Maternal depression has been linked to health and developmental problems in children. Therefore, to optimize children's health, mothers who are depressed should be identified and treated, said Weitzman. As parents routinely bring their children for check-ups, this may present an opportunity to identify depressed mothers, as so many women do not seek treatment for their symptoms, she notes.

In the study, Weitzman and her colleagues asked 931 mothers to complete a 16-item measure of depression severity before a well-child visit in a clinic that care for disadvantaged children. Women who screened positive were interviewed to confirm that they had depressive symptoms.

Seventy-one mothers with depression were randomly assigned to receive either six sessions of on-site cognitive behavior therapy or case management, which consisted of speaking with a social worker and getting assistance with referrals. Their children's social-emotional functioning was measured before and after treatment.

Results showed that 45 percent of mothers screened positive for depressive symptoms (26 percent had mild symptoms, 13 had moderate symptoms and 6 percent had severe symptoms). All of the women who received treatment showed improvements in their depression symptoms. The scores improved greatly in women who received cognitive behavioral therapy, while those who received case management did not show a dramatic change.

Children under age four whose mothers received cognitive behavioral therapy also had fewer behavioral challenges. No significant changes were reported among the women who received case management or those with children older than age four.

"A depressed parent can have a significant effect on a child," said Weitzman. "Brief on-site treatment can help reduce symptoms of depression in a mother and may also improve her perspective about her child's behavior." 

See the full report here
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=78465


I feel this backs up my passion to talk to professionals who are in contact with mothers, e.g. Children's centres.


Elaine Hanzak


www.hanzak.com

Wellbeing for pregnant Mums in the NW (Halton and St. Helens)

Ann Girling and I are delighted to be part of the Wellbeing project http://www.wellbeingproject.co.uk/ - a pioneering social enterprise project set up in 2006.

We are running two sessions in May with them - see full details here:

http://www.wellbeingproject.co.uk/wmdb.htm

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com

Postnatal Depression - Making a difference

I am delighted to present my new brochure of the training day/workshop I have been delivering with Ann Girling, who shares my passion and has professional expertise in helping families affected by poor maternal mental health.

We have done several days now with staff from Children's centres so if you are involved with any and you think we can help them, please pass on the details. Feedback has been brilliant!

See our brochure here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/30937781/Postnatal-Depression-Making-a-Difference 

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com

Support for www.pni.org.uk - postnatal illness charity

Facebook has a new cause listed which I hold close to my heart!

For many suffering from postnatal illness there can be a real sense of isolation - an online forum can help readdress this problem amongst others and be a very useful support alongside medical and other assistance.

I am honoured to be patron of www.pni.org.uk

Help support it and spread the word by linking here


http://www.causes.com/causes/480368

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com