Sydney : Treatment with a hormone that plays an important role in labour and breast-feeding can improve behaviour of mothers suffering from postnatal depression, a common disorder affecting 10 to 20 percent of mothers, says a study, according to IANS.
The researchers focused on the role of the hormone oxytocin in improving the behaviour of women with postnatal depression. “Oxytocin is potentially useful in improving parental behaviours of mothers with postnatal depression,” said researcher Beth Mah from Hunter Medical Research Institute, in New South Wales, Australia.
“Mothers with postnatal depression interact with their infants less sensitively, report feeling less competent, and less often choose recommended practical parenting strategies,” Mah pointed out.
In this review of literature, the researcher noted how some studies highlighted that higher oxytocin levels were associated with parental behaviour likely to promote bonding. For example, mothers showed increased levels of oxytocin after affectionate contact with their infant.
