A Study of Maternal Competence in Preterm Birth Condition, during the Transition from Hospital to Home: An Early Intervention Program’s Proposal

The study was conducted with 104 mothers (average age 32.5 years, SD 6.1) of preterm infants (very and moderately preterm but still healthy) to monitor the perceived maternal role competence from the time of hospitalisation to post-discharge, in order to define an intervention program to support mothers during this transition. A targeted Q-Sort tool (Maternal Competence Q-Sort in preterm birth) was applied at two different times as a self-observation tool for parenting competence in neonatology. A tendency towards dysregulation of the maternal role competence was detected, mainly in terms of low self-assessment and was found to worsen during post-discharge, particularly with regard to caregiving ability. This study suggests the importance of accompanying parenting competence in preterm birth conditions, not only during hospitalisation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) but also following discharge in order to promote the development of premature infants. This paper reports in the last part a specific integrated psychoeducational intervention program (psychologist and nurses), which we defined precisely in light of the suggestions offered by the study data on perceived maternal competence created with the Q-sort.

TBPL2/TFIIA complex establishes the maternal transcriptome through oocyte-specific promoter usage

During oocyte growth, transcription is required to create RNA and protein reserves to achieve maternal competence. During this period, the general transcription factor TATA binding protein (TBP) is replaced by its paralogue, TBPL2 (TBP2 or TRF3), which is essential for RNA polymerase II transcription. We show that in oocytes TBPL2 does not assemble into a canonical TFIID complex. Our transcript analyses demonstrate that TBPL2 mediates transcription of oocyte-expressed genes, including mRNA survey genes, as well as specific endogenous retroviral elements. Transcription start site (TSS) mapping indicates that TBPL2 has a strong preference for TATA-like motif in core promoters driving sharp TSS selection, in contrast with canonical TBP/TFIID-driven TATA-less promoters that have broader TSS architecture. Thus, we show a role for the TBPL2/TFIIA complex in the establishment of the oocyte transcriptome by using a specific TSS recognition code.

TBPL2/TFIIA complex establishes the maternal transcriptome by an oocyte-specific promoter usage

During oocyte growth, transcription is required to create RNA and protein reserves to achieve maternal competence. During this period, the general transcription factor TATA binding protein (TBP) is replaced by its paralogue, TBPL2 (TBP2 or TRF3), which is essential for RNA polymerase II transcription. We show that in oocytes TBPL2 does not assemble into a canonical TFIID complex. Our transcript analyses demonstrate that TBPL2 mediates transcription of oocyte-expressed genes, including mRNA survey genes, as well as specific endogenous retroviral elements. Transcription start site (TSS) mapping indicates that TBPL2 has a strong preference for TATA-like motif in core promoters driving sharp TSS selection, in contrast with canonical TBP/TFIID-driven TATA-less promoters that have broader TSS architecture. Thus, we show a role for the TBPL2/TFIIA complex in the establishment of the oocyte transcriptome by using a specific TSS recognition code.

Hubungan Kompetensi Ibu, Aktivitas Fisik, dan Konsumsi Junk Food dengan Kejadian Obesitas pada Balita

The purpose of this study is to know the correlations of maternal competence, physical activity, and consumption of junk food with the incidence of obesity in toddlers in the Work Area Puskesmas Bahu Kecamatan Malalayang Manado City. This research is an explanatory research (Explanatory Research). The total sample in this study was 98 children under five. The results showed no relationship between maternal competence with obesity characterized by p value 0.072. There is no relationship of junk food consumption with obesity characterized by p value 0.132. There is a relationship of physical activity with junk food consumption characterized by p value 0,132. There is a relationship of physical activity with junk food consumption marked with p value 0.000. There is a relationship of physical activity with obesity characterized by p value 0,016. There is a relationship between mother's competency and physical activity with a p value of 0,000. There is relationship of mother competence with junk food consumption marked with p value 0,011. regular nutrition counseling activities for children, parents, school teachers with extension materials, among others: more nutritional problems, including prevention, and impacts, healthy food choices, healthy consumption habits, and good activity patterns. Keyword: Mother Competence, Physical Activity, Consumption of Junk Food, Obesity

A Cultural Model of Parenthood as Engineering: How Caregiving Fathers Construct a Gender-Neutral View of the Parent Role

Despite the growing impact of the therapeutic discourse on family life, there is limited research on how it affects lay understanding of parenthood, beyond concerns with gender roles. Drawing on a case study of caregiving fathers in new family forms, we delineate an emerging folk model of parenthood as engineering. It construes parental caregiving as lay expertise in emotion management, which includes active planning and vision, pursuit of information, time management, and emotional engagement. The cultural shift toward parenting as expertise is reinforced by fathers increased participation in child care, as men are often viewed as lacking “natural” maternal competence and more dependent on deliberate acquisition of expertise. Notions of engineering may not be as salient among heteronormative parents who are less compelled to actively reconstruct established familial structures. While this folk model underscores a gender-neutral ideal nested in liberal ideology, the actual shift raises renewed questions about gendered power relations.

Neonatal outcomes and neonatal care received by the term neonates following initial hospital discharge in Sri Lanka

Objectives: The main aim of this study was to describe the neonatal outcomes of term neonates following initial hospital discharge.Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study done among term neonates discharged from Teaching Hospital (TH) Kandy from 27th of March to 14th of May 2015. All the term neonates who delivered at term in the TH Kandy during the study period were included in the study. Study was conducted as a telephone survey.Results: Nearly half (46.79%) of the mothers sought medical advice for their neonates following hospital discharge during the neonatal period. Majority of the mothers who sought medical advice (71.06%) went to ordinary doctors while 28.43% consulted specialist doctors. All most all women (98.10%) exclusively breast fed their newborn baby. Four percent of the term neonates were hospitalized during the neonatal period and most common reasons for admission was breathing difficulty followed by yellow discoloration of the body. Considerable proportion (29.66%) of mothers stated that postnatal visits were not helpful for any of the six aspects of postnatal care questioned in the telephone interview. Postpartum visits had its highest impact on breastfeeding followed by maternal competence on recognizing danger signs. But post-partum visit had its least impact on keeping baby warm and dressing up of baby.Conclusion: Nearly half of the mothers seek medical advice for their neonates following hospital discharge during the neonatal period. One third of the mother stated that postnatal visits were not helpful for any of the six aspects of postnatal care studied. Postpartum visits had its highest impact on breastfeeding followed by maternal competence on recognizing danger signs while had its least impact on keeping baby warm and dressing up of baby.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(2) 2018 p.194-199

Factors Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding Through Four Weeks Postpartum in Thai Adolescent Mothers

ABSTRACTBreastfeeding initiation and duration are decreased in adolescent mothers compared to older mothers. A prospective descriptive cohort design was used to explore personal, social, cultural, and infant factors that explain and predict breastfeeding initiation and maintenance at 4 weeks postpartum. Adolescent mothers (N = 120) were recruited at prenatal clinics in Thailand. Data were collected at enrollment, during birth hospitalization (N = 102), and at 4 weeks postpartum (N = 96). Findings revealed breastfeeding attitudes, social support, and cultural beliefs about “being a good mother” were positively correlated with breastfeeding initiation. Furthermore, breastfeeding attitudes and social support were significant positive predictors of exclusive breastfeeding (both p ≥ .01) continuation through 4 weeks, whereas infant temperament was a significant negative predictor (p ≥ .04). Maternal competence at 4 weeks postpartum was also positively correlated with exclusive breastfeeding continuation.

An Integrative Review of Factors Influencing Breastfeeding in Adolescent Mothers

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this integrative review was to describe factors that influence breastfeeding behaviors in adolescent mothers. Twenty-two articles met inclusion criteria. Findings showed that most adolescent mothers intended to breastfeed during pregnancy. Yet, breastfeeding initiation ranged from 39% to 69%. Almost half of adolescent mothers stopped within 1 month. Less than 25% continued to breastfeeding behaviors to 6 months. Factors that influenced breastfeeding decisions in adolescent mothers included social and cultural norms. Personal beliefs about being a good mother were important to intention and initiation of breastfeeding. Promoting maternal competence was found to be essential to breastfeeding initiation and continuation for adolescent mothers. Support from partners and professionals also led to positive attitudes toward breastfeeding initiation and continuation.