فهرست مطالب masoumeh alijanpour

Adipokines play essential roles in the human body, including regulating the inflammatory process, the immune system's activity, the vascular system, and reproductive function, and performing glucose homeostasis. Adipokine levels change during pregnancy and postpartum, and these hormones play an important role in fetal growth and development. This study aimed to compare maternal leptin and omentin-1 serum levels in vaginal and cesarean deliveries and their relationship with anthropometric indices.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed in 2020 on 90 women (45 patients with vaginal delivery and 45 patients with elective cesarean delivery) admitted to the Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran, who were selected conveniently. Intravenous blood samples were taken in the first 24 hours after delivery to measure maternal leptin and omentin-1 serum levels.

The mean age was 25.8±4.6 and 29.5±4.5 in women with vaginal delivery and elective cesarean delivery, respectively. The results showed that maternal leptin and omentin-1 serum levels were higher in vaginal delivery than in cesarean delivery, although the difference was significant only in leptin serum levels (p<0.001). Also, no significant relationship was observed between fetal sex and anthropometric indices with maternal leptin and omentin-1 serum levels (p>0.5).

Leptin serum levels were significantly higher in the first 24 hours after vaginal delivery than after cesarean delivery Vaginal delivery can be recommended as the preferred method due to its critical role in metabolic and anti-inflammatory activities and reproductive function regulation.

There is sufficient information about female sexual function, but few studies have investigated postpartum female sexual function. Postpartum women’s sexual function may be dramatically affected by childbirth. This study aimed to explore women's perceptions and experiences of the concept of postpartum sexual function.

This qualitative study was conducted using a directed content analysis approach based on Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) between 2018 and 2019. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 women referred to the health centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran and were selected, purposively. The data were analyzed manually using directed content analysis adopted by Hsieh and Shannon (2005).

Overall, eleven categories emerged from the analysis. The six emerged categories were related to the predetermined components, namely sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, orgasm, and satisfaction. The remaining five newly emerging categories included changes in the frequency of sexual intercourse, disturbed situation, changes in intimacy and relationship, physical (anatomical) changes, and psychological consequences.

The results showed some new categories, in addition to the components of FSFI, which could be added to the concept of sexual function in postpartum period. Therefore, health service providers should consider these new additional concepts in the assessment, care, and treatment of female sexual dysfunction in postpartum women.