Untold Struggles: Unveiling Postpartum Health Inequities
On Wednesdays, The Lancet Global Health published a study calling for actions to enhance the well-being of women in the months and years following childbirth. The study highlighted that many postpartum complications often go unnoticed and undervalued.
Investigating health issues six weeks postpartum, the study revealed that numerous postpartum complications such as painful intercourse (35%), back pain (32%), anal incontinence (19%), urinary incontinence (8-31%), and anxiety conditions (9-24%) are often underacknowledged.
Menstrual pain (11%), postpartum fears (6-15%), and secondary infertility (more than 1 in 10) are other common postpartum challenges. Despite this, many of these conditions are suffused with cultural and political stigma, making them difficult for women and healthcare providers alike.
Dr. Pascal Allodi, the WHO Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, expressed concern in a statement that these conditions cause significant pain and suffering in women's daily lives. He emphasized that women not only deserve maternal care but also need access to services that cater to their unique concerns and needs, including managing labor pains and achieving overall health and quality of life.
The study findings fit into an overarching narrative where the health of women is frequently overlooked. According to the World Health Organization, women face more challenges in accessing health information and services due to limited awareness, discriminatory attitudes within communities, and lack of decision-making power.
Advancing Postpartum Care and Recognition
The study calls for action to raise awareness, finance, and access to information about these overlooked health issues. The authors argue that neglecting these health concerns contributes to limited visibility, funding, and collective efforts.
"Countries should prioritize the development and implementation of health policies to address the broad spectrum of health problems that can emerge long after childbirth."
To boost postpartum care and combat underrecognition of complications, several strategic measures can be implemented:
- Enhanced Data Collection and Reporting
- Adopt rigorous and consistent data standards for maternal health conditions, incorporating sex- and gender-based data to gain a comprehensive understanding of disease burden.
- Incorporate pertinent research, particularly on women's unique needs and disparities, catering to specific illnesses that impact women disproportionately or differently than men.
- Comprehensive Postpartum Care
- Develop multidisciplinary clinics offering primary care to new mothers during pediatric appointments, aligning them with necessary services like lactation support and behavioral health services.
- Establish regular postpartum visits, including a comprehensive visit at 4-12 weeks, to monitor health complications, manage pain, and assess proper discharge planning.
- Improved Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Adopt evidence-based care guidelines tailored to sex- and gender-based medicine, as well as interdisciplinary education and healthcare delivery to implement these guidelines effectively.
- Strengthened Mental Health Support
- Implement mental health assessments for new mothers to uncover postpartum depression and behavioral health concerns, providing comprehensive care for both maternal physical and emotional health.
- Expanded Access to Care
- Foster telehealth expansion to increase access to prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum care services in rural areas, especially by supporting funding initiatives for Telehealth Network and Telehealth Resource Centers.
- Bolster the perinatal workforce with diverse professionals adept in addressing the unique needs of new mothers, including racial and ethnic minority populations.
- Social and Economic Support
- Strengthen economic and social benefits for pregnant individuals, ensuring access to necessary resources such as food, shelters, childcare, or transportation to address health-related social needs.
- Equitable Health Initiatives
- Include all women in health equity initiatives, keeping an eye on disparities in health care across countries and globally, prioritizing an equitable healthcare approach for all pregnant and postpartum individuals
By adopting these measures, it's possible to improve postpartum care, combat underrecognition, and ultimately enhance the well-being of women after childbirth.
