Is intimate partner violence associated with increased maternal hair cortisol in mother-child dyads?
Higher hair cortisol levels detected in women exposed to IPV reflected long-lasting changes in HPA axis functioning associated with chronic stress exposure. Children whose parents recurrently engage in violent conflicts with intimate partners may often feel threatened and consequently reporting more PTSD-related symptoms. Given that experiencing and witnessing violence during childhood and adolescence are predictive of intimate partner violence in adulthood, the need of early interventions is crucial.
Vaginal preparation with povidone-iodine solution immediately prior to a caesarean delivery reduces the risk of post-operative endometritis. This preemptive measure was only found to be beneficial in women whose membranes had ruptured and those who were in labor prior to caesarean surgery.