In a groundbreaking study recently published in The Lancet Global Health, researchers uncovered a concerning reality—40 million women globally are at risk of enduring persistent long-term health challenges stemming from childbirth each year.
The extensive survey sheds light on postnatal conditions that linger for months or even years, prompting a critical reevaluation of healthcare practices.
The study identifies various postpartum issues affecting women after delivery.
These include dyspareunia (35%), low back pain (32%), anal incontinence (19%), urinary incontinence (8% to 31%), anxiety (9% to 24%), depression (11% to 17%), perineal pain (11%), tokophobia (fear of childbirth) (6% to 15%), and secondary infertility (11%).
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Experts stress the crucial need for heightened awareness and effective care throughout the entire pregnancy and childbirth journey.
Detecting potential risks early and preventing complications is vital to reducing the likelihood of enduring health challenges for women.
Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizes the considerable suffering women endure, pointing out the underappreciation, underrecognition, and underreporting of postpartum conditions.
Despite their prevalence, these conditions have faced neglect in clinical research, practice, and policy.
The authors of the study, spanning a literature review of the past 12 years, highlight a significant research gap.
They point out the absence of recent high-quality guidelines for treating 40% of the 32 priority conditions analyzed, with a notable lack of such guidelines from low- or middle-income countries.
The comprehensive series, titled “Maternal Health in the Perinatal Period and Beyond,” advocates for a holistic approach to women’s health.
It underscores the importance of addressing not only immediate biomedical causes but also the broader social, economic, and environmental factors influencing women’s well-being.
The series echoes a strong call for greater attention to the long-term health of women and girls, both before and after pregnancy.
This plea urges a paradigm shift toward a comprehensive approach that considers the complex interplay of factors affecting women’s health throughout their lives.
The study concludes with a heartfelt plea for healthcare providers to be attuned to women’s concerns, providing the necessary services to ensure not only survival through childbirth but also sustained good health and an enhanced quality of life.
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