40M women face long-term health problems caused by childbirth annually

GENEVA

At least 40 million women experience a long-term health problem caused by childbirth annually, according to a study published by The Lancet Global Health on Thursday.

The study drew attention to the long-lasting consequences of postnatal conditions as most of them persist for "months or even years" after giving birth.

To detect risks and avert complications that can lead to lasting health issues, it described effective care throughout pregnancy and childbirth as a "critical preventive factor."

"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," said Pascale Allotey, the director of sexual and reproductive health and research at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Allotey added: "Throughout their lives, and beyond motherhood, women need access to a range of services from health-care providers who listen to their concerns and meet their needs - so they not only survive childbirth but can enjoy good health and quality of life."

The study identified "no recent high-quality guidelines" to support effective treatment for 40% of the 32 priority conditions analyzed during a literature review spanning the last 12 years.

It also could not find "a single high-quality guideline" from a low- or middle-income country.

A multidisciplinary health system not only provides high-quality and respectful maternity services, but also prevents ill health and mitigates the impact of broader inequities, and is needed to support the most vulnerable women and girls, according to the study.