[Consequences of domestic violence on toddler development and parenting]

The climate of domestic violence is a major risk factor for the health and development of children from an early age, as well as for parenthood. The role of health professionals is essential in addressing this issue. Training on this subject is necessary because it allows them to feel more comfortable in dealing with these issues and to work in an interdisciplinary manner.

[Complementarity of body/psyche care in case of postpartum depression]

The perinatal period is suffused with profound upheaval and physical and psychological changes, and is accompanied by frequent psychopathological and psychiatric disorders. The early management of mother-child relationships during this period is therefore a major and complex issue, both for professionals and for patients. Two main pitfalls would be to distinguish the taking into account of the subject's suffering from the risk of early alteration of the parent-baby relationship, and to separate the psychological and physical dimensions at stake. A clinical situation illustrates the way in which the body and the psyche can be engaged and envisaged in a joint care.

[The psychomotrician, mediator during the carrying process between a mother and her baby]

The carrying in the arms of the young child by his mother is necessary during breastfeeding, for example. But it also occurs during moments of cuddling. These times of bodily proximity, with no other end than the relationship and tenderness, encourage the weaving of emotional bonds between the adult and his baby. If the adjustment between the two partners goes relatively well in most cases, certain dyads present interactive difficulties and the cuddles seem less fluid, less natural. Psychomotricians can then intervene to support the partners in the interaction by playing a mediating role.

[Meeting between a mother in exile and her child in a mother-baby unit]

Asylum-seeking mothers face numerous traumatic reactivations during the perinatal period due to the psychological vulnerability specific to this period. These situations of cumulative vulnerability between exile and perinatal care present professionals with new challenges in the socio-sanitary field. Births are precious for the constitution of tomorrow's generations. Thus, it is necessary to provide appropriate assistance to these parents and babies.

Bientraitance en période de crise sanitaire

L’arrivée brutale de la pandémie de Covid-19 a ébranlé notre système de santé et menacé notre capacité à être bientraitants. La mise en place d’une relation de soins nécessite du temps et une recherche de sens. En périnatalité, la situation a exposé les familles à un stress provoqué par l’isolement, tant dans la relation de soins que vis-à-vis des proches. Ces répercussions ont fait l’objet d’études dont les résultats interrogent la responsabilité des professionnels de santé. Une réflexion globale et le développement d’un dialogue interorganisationnel semblent indispensables pour protéger les femmes enceintes et leurs nouveau-nés en temps de crise.

[Differences between parental burnout and postpartum depression]

Parental burnout, postpartum depression and major depression are conditions that share common symptomologies, but are not to be confused with each other. It is therefore important to define each of these disorders before documenting the similarities, differences and the issue of differential diagnosis in each of these conditions.

Rétrospective et perspectives

L’épidémie de Covid-19 qui a déferlé sur le monde en mars 2020 a paralysé les sociétés et placé les professionnels de santé au premier plan, en ville comme à l’hôpital. Les acteurs de la périnatalité ont dû s’adapter pour répondre avec efficacité aux besoins des femmes et des enfants, en toute sécurité. Les soignants ont rencontré moult difficultés, mais ils ont également inventé de nouvelles façons de travailler et appris à mieux collaborer. De cette crise, il faut tirer les leçons pour bâtir l’avenir.

[Representations and experience of caregivers on the pathway of pregnant unaccompanied minors]

Pregnancy and motherhood are additional ordeals for young unaccompanied girls, a particularly vulnerable section of the population. They are marked by the revival of the traumatic valence, the need to reconstruct themselves through the pregnancy and the importance of establishing a relationship of trust with the professionals supporting them. A qualitative study was carried out through the prism of the perspective of these professionals.

[Identifying and treating autism spectrum disorders in perinatal care]

Severe forms of autism may be spotted by families in the first year of life, but are still rarely treated before the age of 3. Screening and early treatment are recommended to improve the children's functional prognosis. However, there is still little knowledge among perinatal and early childhood professionals of the symptomatology of autistic disorders. Several points are sensitive: during the first year the symptoms of children at risk are non-specific apart from a lack of desire to form relationships; and the early treatment probably modifies the clinical picture of young patients. Screening tools are rare but are starting to be developed.

[Pregnancies with somatic, psychiatric and social entanglements: a complex clinical presentation]

The mother-infant programme of Delafontaine hospital in Saint-Denis operates in a territory characterised by psychosocial deprivation and multiculturalism. The account of the immediate post-partum care of a patient with epilepsy having given birth to twins illustrates the possible unease of the healthcare manager and the need for coordination between the hospital and community teams to offer the mother and infant optimal safety and wellbeing.

[History and current challenges of paediatric psychiatry in maternity units]

The legal framework of mother-baby care has evolved over the last thirty years driven by innovative programmes put in place by hospital health professionals. Liaison in perinatal care lies at the crossroads of different temporalities and treatment objectives, and requires constant dialogue between the liaison caregivers and those in maternity. The aim is to form a holding environment facilitating the establishment of an adapted response to the complexity of the clinical situations encountered.

[The evolution of places of birth]

Since the beginning of the 19th century, medical advances have drastically cut the number of deaths at birth, ensuring a maximum level of safety of childbirth today. However, there is increasing demand for alternative forms of childbirth which take into account more the expectations of the future parents as well as the psychological and relational dimensions. The current experimentation involving birth centres could lead the way for the development of such possibilities from 2018.

[Neonatal transport characteristics]

Neonatal transport is necessary where a neonate is transferred between two care units. It provides all the skills of a dedicated team, representing a real mobile neonatal intensive care unit. Informing and involving the families is essential during this transport, which can be a source of stress for the child and its family.

[Exploring the facets of perinatal care]

Perinatal care has long been the sector towards which Éloïse Cognat has wanted to direct her career. From her initial training, she felt drawn to working closely with the patient and the care practices; the nursing profession was an obvious choice for her. Here she tells us of the fulfilling start to her career.