Author: listacorreos

The Perinatal IBIS Lab research team participates in a new research project funded by the AEI. The subject of the project, whose abbreviated title is EXPAR-P, is the influence of childbirth in the development of parenthood. Moreover, it explores its impact in the development of healthy relationships between parents and children.

The project will bring up the following questions: How do a person’s past experiences affect how they go through childbirth? What effect does it have on perinatal mental health? What about parental bonding and the development of parenting abilities?

The main goal of this study is to create and test psychological tools used to assess parents during the perinatal period. The study will also examine how certain psychological traits can predict the birthing experience for both mothers and fathers. Finally, it aims to assess how the childbirth experience affects parenting and mental health from immediately after birth through the baby’s first six months.

The project EXPAR-P follows two Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and 5 (gendered equality). On the one hand, previous studies show that giving birth affects mothers’ mental health directly, with cases of self-esteem issues, crushed expectations, stress or even birth-related PTSD. On the other hand, fathers can experience PTSD as well, but their mental health issues tend to manifest as hyperactivity and a general feeling of uselessness. The impact of childbirth on fathers is an under-researched topic, but several studies have proven that professional support can help them feel more involved in the perinatal period.

EXPAR-P expects to have a direct impact in perinatal mental health by offering digital psychological orientation and open communication of the results of the research. It will be a product of the collaboration between researchers from several institutions, such as the University of Comillas, the Loyola University or the Perinatal IBIS Lab. The research has already begun and it’s projected to continue over the following four years.

Participating in initiatives such as the EXPAR-P project is a privilege for our research team. Our primary objective is to promote awareness and understanding of mental health during the perinatal period. We are committed to disseminating the findings of our work to facilitate improved support for both professionals and families.

Our Team has participated in the publication of a new paper titled Impact of Traumatic Childbirth and Birth-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Breastfeeding Outcomes:A Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Cohort Studies. The publication is available on open access in the influential journal Birth.

The research, led by an international team, had the lack of evidence about the influence of traumatic childbirth in breastfeeding as a starting point. Therefore, its main objective was to gather and study the available resources on the topic by a systematic review of prospective longitudinal and cohort studies.

The results revealed a negative link –including lasting effects– between birth-related trauma and breastfeeding outcomes.

Researches like this one teach us that there’s still an unexplored field in the perinatal mental health field of investigation. We are glad to contribute to a more compassionate, trauma-informed perinatal care.

The e-Perinatal Team has presented their protocol study for the pilot trial of e-Perinatal in Open Research Europe. The publication posed a current situation: although perinatal mental health disorders have a heavy impact on both families and healthcare systems, mental health services keep being hard to reach due to structural barriers. Therefore, mobile health (mHealth) interventions can provide a convenient measure, but it is a little-researched topic, with limited assessments in real-world practice.

The study is titled A personalized mHealth intervention for the universal prevention of perinatal mental disorders in routine maternal care (e-Perinatal): A protocol study for a hybrid feasibility pilot trial. The e-Perinatal app, a personalized mHealth innovation for universal perinatal mental disorders prevention, has had a two-arm, cluster randomised (in eight Primary Heathcare Andalusian Centres), hybrid type 1 pilot trial. It aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the app.

There were two target groups: pregnant or postpartum women and their partners; and healthcare professionals involved in routine maternal care, who received specialized training.

The pilot trial will give us essential insights into the feasibility of incorporating our e-Perinatal app into routine maternal care, providing the basics for the development and implementation of a future large-scale trial.

Last Tuesday, October 7th, the e-Perinatal app was presented in ‘EnRed’, which was aired in Canal Sur. ‘EnRed’ is a TV program dedicated to the dissemination of technology, science, internet, and online content in Andalusia.

The reportage covered the e-Perinatal app, designed to detect and prevent anxiety and depression in pregnant women and new mothers. It explained the way it works, offering self-assessment questionnaires, emotional tracking tools, and personalized support materials to help women monitor their mental health throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Our scientific coordinator, Dr. Emma Motrico, highlighted that up to 20% of women experience perinatal anxiety or depression, making early detection essential for both maternal and infant well-being. The app is currently being tested in several health centers across Andalusia, including Mairena del Aljarafe (Seville).

We are truly grateful to Canal Sur for their coverage and hope it helps share the benefits of joining our project with even more people!

The Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) hosted the XIII Perinatal Mental Health Conference on May 15th and 16th, 2025. This event, organized by the Spanish Society of Perinatal Mental Health (MARES), brought together professionals from different disciplines to address the latest advances in the research, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

The Perinatal IBiS-Lab research group, led by Dr. Emma Motrico, organized and also participated actively in these sessions. Dr. Motrico hosted the opening lecture, “Maternal Stress during Pregnancy and Adverse Outcomes in Offspring”, with Dr. Rafael Caparrós, from the University of Granada, as a speaker.

The e-Perinatal Team also presented the results of patient and public involvement (PPI) in the e-Perinatal project, focusing on barriers, facilitators, and impacts. This study was conducted by Team researchers Rosalba Company, Paula de Juan, Stephanie Carretero, Carlos Barquero, Roberto Cruz and Emma Motrico. The outcome highlighted the importance of strategies which strengthen collaborative participation, particularly of families and professionals, in designing and implementing perinatal health interventions.

In addition, the Team shared “Adaptation into Spanish of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) in the perinatal context: Preliminary results”, which had the objective of culturally adapting the BPNSFS to the Spanish perinatal context and to preliminarily evaluate its factorial structure, reliability, and external validity. The results were positive and proved a potentially useful procedure of the Scale during the perinatal period in the Spanish context.

The project “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Preventive Interventions on Perinatal Depression: Protocol of the METAPSY e-Perinatal Study” was also presented with a poster in the Conference. The project is being developed at the moment and involves a creation of a meta-analytic research methodology; the design of a web-based tool for this purpose; and the conduct of analyses and dissemination.

The congress concluded with great news for the e-Perinatal Team. After sharing the study “Designing an Implementation Strategy of a mHealth Intervention in Perinatal Mental Health: an Example in the Context of Routine Maternal Care”, the Team researcher Paula de Juan was awarded with the Best Poster Prize.

Organizing and participating in this inspiring congress was a pleasure for the e-Perinatal Team. The encouraging work of professionals, researchers and families help us build a future where mental well-being during pregnancy and postpartum becomes a priority.

The Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences (FPCEE) of Blanquerna – Universitat Ramon Llull hosted the II Jornada en Psicologia Perinatal i Parentalitat: Prevenció digital i intervenció terapèutica on Friday, September 26th, 2025. The event addressed the growing challenges in early childhood development –language, communication, and maternal emotional well-being. It also highlighted the urgent need for updated resources in prevention and family intervention during the perinatal period.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Emma Motrico, Professor at the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Seville, founder and principal investigator of the Perinatal Mental Health group at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), and leader of the e-Perinatal Project. She shared her expertise on universal prevention of perinatal mental disorders.

This second edition of the Jornada was an inspiring platform for professionals and students alike, blending theoretical knowledge, digital innovation in interventions, and practical experiences. The meeting had a goal: reinforcing the commitment to improving maternal emotional health and supporting optimal infant development through evidence-based, specialized perinatal care.

Last Thursday, March 6th, research team members Ana Belén Naranjo and Dr. Rosalba Company attended the presentation of the ‘Parenting Groups: Born and Grow in Gines’ program at the Community Social Services Center of the Gines Town Hall.

This initiative is part of the activities organized by the municipal Equality delegation in celebration of International Women’s Day. It is a health initiative with a gender perspective, integrated within the Local Health Plan ‘Gines Enhances Its Health’ and the Municipal Equality Plan ‘Gines Moves Towards Equality’.

The program aims to support and work from the very beginning on the emotional health and wellbeing not only of the baby but also of the mother and father, raising awareness and creating a care space that promotes reconciliation and shared responsibility, thus improving quality of life and health.

Led by midwife Mercedes Acebes Ruiz, the initiative seeks to foster a positive experience of parenthood, enhancing and acquiring healthy lifestyle habits, social skills, and parental abilities to face this stage in the best psycho-emotional and social conditions.

Dr. Rosalba Company presented the existing evidence on interventions that have proven effective in preventing depression and anxiety in mothers and fathers during the perinatal period.

During this meeting, a very enriching reflective space was created where attendees shared their ideas and experiences regarding motherhood.

We are very grateful to Mercedes Acebes and the Gines Town Hall for inviting us to the presentation of this valuable project for so many families.

The e-Perinatal programme investigates the effectiveness of a mobile application featuring psychological content, physical exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits for the universal prevention of perinatal mental health disorders in mothers and their partners. Its goal is to facilitate its integration into Andalusian primary care, ensuring accessible and evidence-based support from pregnancy through the baby’s first year. 

As part of our commitment to improving maternal and paternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, we have created a presentation video that clearly and concisely explains the objectives, methods, and processes behind our project. 

In just a few minutes, you’ll learn how we are working to provide an innovative, evidence-based intervention at such a crucial stage as the perinatal period. 

📢 We invite you to share it and help us raise awareness about the importance of emotional well-being during this time. Thank you for being part of this journey! 💙 

On December 18th, REDMADRE Sevilla organized a workshop titled “Mental Health During the Perinatal Period,” a training session that proved to be of great interest and utility for the women served by the organization. The event was led by Dr. Rosalba Company Córdoba, a psychologist and researcher in perinatal mental health, with the collaboration of psychologist Ana Belén Naranjo. This workshop was aimed at pregnant women and mothers during the first year postpartum. 

During the session, crucial topics related to mental health in pregnancy and postpartum were addressed. Dr. Company Córdoba emphasized the importance of having information about mental health, self-care, interpersonal relationships, and the need to ask for help when necessary. The main objective of the workshop was to provide participants with theoretical information and practical tools to promote their emotional well-being during these stages 

Among the topics covered were the identification of common disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as stress management. Additionally, self-care techniques were offered, such as relaxation and breathing exercises, and social support was encouraged through communication with partners, family members, and professionals. A space of trust was created where participants could share experiences, and information was provided about professional resources for those who needed additional help. 

Objectives

The workshop aimed to empower mothers to feel accompanied and motivated to take care of their mental health, recognizing the importance of seeking support when necessary. The specific objectives of the workshop were: 

• Inform about the importance of mental health during pregnancy and postpartum: Explain how emotions and psychological well-being affect both the mother and the baby during this stage. 

• Identify signs of possible mental disorders: Raise awareness about common problems such as perinatal depression, anxiety, and stress, so that participants can recognize them in time. 

• Provide practical tools for emotional management: Offer techniques and advice to reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional overload, such as meditation, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises. 

• Promote self-care and emotional well-being: Highlight the importance of taking care of oneself, establishing self-care routines that include rest, exercise, and pleasurable activities. 

• Strengthen the social support network: Promote open communication with partners, family members, friends, and health professionals so that mothers can share their emotions and receive emotional support. 

• Discuss the normalization of emotional difficulties: Demystify negative emotions and allow participants to feel accompanied and understood, eliminating stigmas about mental health at this stage. 

• Provide resources and practical advice: Suggest daily activities that can be incorporated into everyday life, such as organizing time for rest, the importance of a balanced diet, and managing realistic expectations. 

• Facilitate a space for exchanging experiences: Create a trusting environment where participants can share their experiences, concerns, and solutions, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. 

• Provide information on professional resources: Inform about available mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors) and how to access them if additional support is needed. 

• Empower participants to seek help when necessary: Reinforce the idea that asking for help is a positive and necessary action for the well-being of both mother and baby. 

The workshop was a resounding success, providing pregnant women and recent mothers with the necessary tools and support to care for their mental health during the perinatal period. The session concluded with a sense of community and empowerment among the participants, who felt accompanied and understood in their journey towards emotional well-being 

On October 14, a groundbreaking training course titled “New Technologies for the Prevention of Mental Disorders in the Perinatal Period” was launched. This initiative, coordinated by Ms. Ana Belén Naranjo, aims to equip professionals from the Andalusian Health Service with the skills to recognize and manage mental disorders that may affect mothers during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The teaching team comprises prominent researchers from the e-Perinatal team, including Dr. Emma Motrico, Dr. Rosalba Company, Dr. Francisco Javier Nieto, and doctoral researcher Paula de Juan. Together, they will provide a comprehensive approach that combines scientific evidence with the latest health technologies.

Involvement of Health Professionals

The course includes participation from professionals dedicated to maternal and infant care, including midwives, pediatric and mental health nurses. These participants play a crucial role in the care of mothers and their babies, making their training essential for effectively addressing mental health during the perinatal period.

Course Content: A Practical and Scientific Approach

Over the course of nine interactive sessions, participants will explore the importance of mental health during the perinatal period, as well as the prevalence of mental disorders during these critical stages. They will receive training in prevention programs that incorporate new technologies, providing a more accessible and tailored approach to the current needs of mothers and their families.

One of the distinctive features of the course is the use of a practical case study: the e-perinatal study. Through this tool, professionals will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in real-life situations, facilitating a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions in the field of mental health.

Methodology and Assessment Tools

The course also addresses the process of generating evidence-based content, as well as co-designing with stakeholders, which involves active participation from users in creating intervention programs. This is complemented by Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), an approach that seeks to integrate the perspectives of patients and the community in all phases of tool and program development.

Additionally, professionals will learn to use specific assessment tools to measure mental health, including depression and anxiety, as well as the well-being of mothers and fathers in the perinatal period. This knowledge is fundamental for implementing strategies that promote mental health and family well-being.

A Dynamic and Collaborative Learning Environment

The sessions are designed to be dynamic and enriching, fostering the exchange of ideas and experiences among professionals and the teaching team. This interaction will not only benefit participants in their professional development but also contribute to improving the care provided to mothers and babies.

This course represents a significant advancement in the training of health professionals in Andalusia, equipping them with the necessary tools to effectively address the challenges of mental health in the perinatal period. With the integration of new technologies and an evidence-based approach, participants are expected to be better prepared to support families during one of life’s most critical stages.