The Press Stories
Title: A New Study Sheds Light on Under-Recognized Long-Term Health Effects of Labor and Delivery
A groundbreaking study recently published in “The Lancet Global Health” has revealed that the long-term health effects caused by labor and delivery are far more common than previously acknowledged. The study indicates that more than one in three women globally, approximately 40 million individuals, are likely to experience various postnatal conditions. These conditions include low back pain, pain during intercourse, urinary incontinence, depression, anxiety, fear of childbirth, and secondary infertility.
One of the concerning aspects is that these issues often go unnoticed and under-diagnosed, emphasizing the urgent need for increased recognition of the physical and psychological consequences of childbirth. Postpartum care services typically focus solely on the first six weeks after giving birth, which can be insufficient as many of these issues develop beyond that time frame.
Conditions like depression, urinary and anal incontinence, as well as sexual dysfunction, can potentially be caused or worsened by pregnancy and childbirth. However, they may not manifest until months or even years later, when women are no longer accessing postpartum care services. Sadly, these postpartum complications can have long-lasting social and economic implications.
In addition to the aforementioned conditions, the study highlights that serious complications, such as pelvic organ prolapse, post-traumatic stress disorder, thyroid dysfunction, mastitis, nerve injury, psychosis, and blood clots can also occur. Although many of these postpartum conditions cause significant suffering, they often remain underappreciated, underrecognized, and underreported.
A recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that almost half of women felt compelled to withhold questions or concerns during prenatal visits. Shockingly, one in five women reported experiencing mistreatment during these consultations. This further underscores the importance of addressing and raising awareness about postpartum complications.
The study also emphasizes the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries. These nations often lack proper clinical guidelines to adequately address postpartum complications, which contributes to the high prevalence of these issues and hinders significant reductions in maternal mortality rates.
The authors of the study argue passionately for the establishment of a multidisciplinary health system that provides respectful and high-quality maternity services. They propose the introduction of postpartum screening assessments and prompt management for those at risk.
In light of this research, it is crucial for women to reach out to their healthcare providers if they experience any pain, discomfort, or health problems postpartum. Suffering in silence should not be an option. Increased awareness, improved postpartum care, and comprehensive monitoring of women’s health are essential for ensuring the well-being of new mothers worldwide.
