PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Elizabeth Bryan

Publications and source records attributed to Elizabeth Bryan.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Psychological aspects of prenatal diagnosis and its implications in multiple pregnancies.

Couples expecting twins are often unrealistically optimistic and are therefore unprepared for the complications as well as the practical and emotional impact the birth of twins can have on the family. All such couples will need information and support throughout the pregnancy and beyond. In this review, the various aspects that should be addressed are discussed, in particular, health care workers and counsellors need to be aware of the stress experienced by parents who have been through prolonged treatment for infertility or who face the special problems associated with the loss of one twin (implies the loss could be other than death).

Fathers↗
PubMed2003

The impact of multiple preterm births on the family.

As the number of multiple births has steadily risen over the past 20 years, twins and triplets form an increasingly large proportion of the preterm population. This causes a number of stresses to their families. Addressing the cause of the epidemic of iatrogenic multiple births is the most effective way to reduce the number of preterm infants and the long-term problems to which they are prone.

Child↗
PubMed2003

The impact of multiple preterm births on the family.

Multiple births are important contributors to the preterm and low birthweight population and the numbers of twin births have been steadily rising since the early 1980s in all developed countries. This is largely due to the increased use of ovulation induction and multi-embryo transfer in the treatment of subfertility. Parents of preterm twins have been shown to be less responsive to their infants than those with singletons. Parental stress with twins has also been demonstrated by the higher incidence of maternal depression and of child abuse in multiple birth families. Furthermore, siblings of twins are more likely to have behaviour problems. Mortality and long-term morbidity rates are greatly increased amongst multiple birth children. The problems of the single surviving twin and the unaffected co-twin of a disabled child are often underestimated as is the complexity of the bereavement of parents who still have surviving multiples. Addressing the cause of the epidemic of iatrogenic multiple births is likely to be the single most effective way to reduce the number of preterm infants and the long-term problems to which they are prone.

Bereavement↗
PubMed2002

Educating families, before, during and after a multiple birth.

Couples who are expecting twins and higher order births need specific information and support to help them prepare for the care of their babies. Professionals caring for such families should be aware of their special needs and ensure close liaison in order to provide a coordinated service throughout the pregnancy and early childhood.

Child Development↗
PubMed2002

Yoruba customs and beliefs pertaining to twins.

The Yoruba are an important ethnic group mainly occupying Southwestern Nigeria. Mainly for genetic reasons, this very large tribe happens to present the highest dizygotic twinning rate in the world (4.4 % of all maternities). The high perinatal mortality rate associated with such pregnancies has contributed to the integration of a special twin belief system within the African traditional religion of this tribe. The latter is based on the concept of a supreme deity called Olodumare or Olorun, assisted by a series of secondary gods (Orisha) while Yoruba religion also involves immortality and reincarnation of the soul based on the animistic cult of ancestors. Twins are therefore given special names and believed to detain special preternatural powers. In keeping with their refined artistic tradition, the Yoruba have produced numerous wooden statuettes called Ibejis that represent the souls of deceased newborn twins and are involved in elaborate rituals. Among Yoruba traditional beliefs and lore some twin-related themes are represented which are also found in other parts of the world. Basic features of the original Yoruba beliefs have found their way into the religious traditions of descendants of African slaves imported in the West Indies and in South America.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2002

Loss in higher multiple pregnancy and multifetal pregnancy reduction.

From early pregnancy into childhood, higher multiples have much higher rates of mortality, whether from spontaneous abortion, the 'vanishing twin' syndrome, fetal or infant death. Many parents must cope with the death of one baby whilst the siblings remain critically ill or later become disabled and yet there grief is often underestimated. Little is known about the long term feelings of parents who choose to have a multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR). Most say they made the right decision but also that there was insufficient respect for their loss. They are often anxious about what, if anything, to tell the survivors and how they might react. Long term follow-up studies of the children as well as the parents are needed. Meanwhile parents who chose to have a MFPR must be given more information and ongoing support.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2002

Comments on and extracts from: the death of a twin: mourning and anniversary reactions - fragments of 10 years of self-analysis by George Engel.

Only recently has the special bereavement associated with the loss of a twin been generally recognised. With the notable exception of Joan Woodward, few have written on the subject. We, therefore, offer a shortened version of a paper written nearly 30 years ago. George Engel was himself a lone twin as well as being an eminent psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in the United States. The length of the paper precludes reprinting the totality but we hope readers will be encouraged to seek out the original published in The International Journal of Psycho-analysis in 1975, Vol 56 part 1, 23-40.

Attitude to Death↗