Published on Dec. 8, 2023, in The Lancet Global Health, a groundbreaking study reveals that over 1 in 3 women globally, equivalent to at least 40 million women annually, grapple with enduring health issues in the aftermath of childbirth. This comprehensive investigation sheds light on the range of challenges faced by women, spanning physical and mental health, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and extended postpartum care model.
Understanding Postpartum Health Challenges:
The study identifies a myriad of lasting health problems experienced by women after childbirth, including but not limited to:
1. Pain during sexual intercourse (35%)
2. Low back pain (32%)
3. Urinary incontinence (8% to 31%)
4. Anxiety (9% to 24%)
5. Anal incontinence (19%)
6. Depression (11% to 17%)
7. Fear of childbirth (6% to 15%)
8. Perineal pain (11%)
9. Secondary infertility (11%)
Additionally, the study highlights lesser-known issues such as pelvic organ prolapse, posttraumatic stress disorder, thyroid dysfunction, mastitis, HIV seroconversion, nerve injury, and psychosis.
Postpartum Care Gap:
While many women visit a doctor 6 to 12 weeks after childbirth, the study underscores the reluctance of women to discuss these lingering health problems with healthcare professionals. Furthermore, several issues manifest themselves six or more weeks post-birth, indicating a critical gap in the current postpartum care model.
Recommendations for Comprehensive Postpartum Care:
The study advocates for a more comprehensive approach to postpartum care, challenging the conventional 6-week timeframe. The authors propose multidisciplinary models of care that extend beyond the initial postpartum period. Such an approach aims to promptly identify and address these often overlooked health conditions.
Global Disparities in Data:
While the majority of the data comes from high-income nations, the study acknowledges a scarcity of information from low-income and middle-income countries, except for postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis. This raises questions about the global understanding and recognition of postpartum health challenges across diverse socioeconomic contexts.
Pascale Allotey, MD, director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and addressing these conditions, stating, “Many postpartum conditions cause considerable suffering in women’s daily life long after birth, both emotionally and physically, and yet they are largely underappreciated, underrecognized, and underreported.”
The study advocates for a paradigm shift in postpartum care, urging healthcare providers to adopt a more attentive and extended approach. By recognizing the enduring impact of childbirth on women's health, society can work towards ensuring that women not only survive childbirth but also enjoy sustained well-being and an improved quality of life throughout their lives.
