A recent study reveals a significant global issue affecting over 40 million women—persistent health problems that surface long after childbirth. The research underscores the imperative for healthcare systems to acknowledge and address these postnatal conditions, which often extend beyond the conventional postnatal support period.
In the United Kingdom, post-birth support is limited, involving only a few visits from a midwife and a routine check-up with a GP six to eight weeks later. Advocates are pushing for increased maternal checks in response to prevalent long-term postpartum health issues identified in the study.
Common issues reported post-birth include dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), affecting 35% of postpartum women, low back pain (32%), anal incontinence (19%), and urinary incontinence (8-31%). The study also highlights less frequent but impactful conditions like anxiety, depression, perineal pain, fear of childbirth, and secondary infertility.
These conditions can have enduring consequences on a woman’s social, economic, and overall health. However, it’s important to note that most data comes from high-income countries, leaving a gap in population-level information from low-income and middle-income nations.
The study emphasizes the underappreciation, underrecognition, and underreporting of postpartum conditions, with the authors stressing a concerning lack of comprehensive research on these issues. The series, titled “Maternal health in the perinatal period and beyond,” advocates for a shift in focus towards the long-term health of women and girls.
One of the authors highlights the need for a holistic approach, stating that maternal health should not be a concern only during pregnancy but throughout a woman’s life. The series calls for a robust, multidisciplinary health system that not only provides high-quality maternity services but also addresses broader factors influencing women’s health, including environmental, political, and economic considerations.
In essence, the research urges a paradigm shift towards a proactive, preventative, and inclusive approach to women’s health throughout their lives. By recognizing and addressing the long-term health challenges faced by millions of postpartum women, healthcare systems can move towards providing comprehensive care that extends beyond the conventional postnatal period, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of women worldwide.
