Women’s health problems post-birth are on “nobody’s radar”

Post-maternity incontinence, pelvic pain and sexual and mental health issues are being ignored, a study suggests.

Research conducted by the Trinity College Dublin showed that new mothers have been putting up with conditions relating to post-birth that are on “nobody’s radar”.

Researchers gathered data from over 3,000 first-time mothers across three maternity hospitals in Ireland. The study analysed the trajectory of conditions from before pregnancy to 12 months after childbirth.

Deirdre Daly, associate professor in midwifery at the Trinity College Dublin, said: “There’s a whole silence around women’s health.

“There are some women who have multiple health problems and they’re at the severe end, but overall the health issues that we’re looking at are perceived as not life-threatening. 

“But they’re the things that will leave you miserable, absolutely miserable and miserable in motherhood.”

Researchers found that depression rose from 10.9 per cent before pregnancy to 11.8 per cent of women 12 months after childbirth, while anxiety went from 7.1 per cent before pregnancy to 9.4 per cent 12 months after birth.

Prof Daly said: “Our maternity care finishes when a woman is six weeks postpartum. We know that’s far, far too soon.

“These are first-time mothers. There is a need for services for women that go on up to three months afterward, if not longer.”

The study discovered that by three months after birth, one in eight women attended their general practitioner three or more times, one in 20 was readmitted to hospital and one in eight went to an emergency room by three months postpartum. 

Breast problems and perineal and caesarean section wound-related complications were the top two reasons for seeking medical help.

“You are going to stop exercising because it triggers leaking. Then you’re into this cycle of lack of exercise and weight gain,” said prof Daly.

“So you’re into this vicious cycle of multiple miserable health problems that are going to wear women down and wear them out.

“When women do not know what is and is not normal postpartum, they may suffer in silence and the consequence is that health problems and issues that are preventable, and treatable, are likely to become chronic.”