What is important for postnatal women?

The right to a positive maternal healthcare experience at every stage

Each pregnancy is unique and the clinical needs may change during the pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal periods. One thing that never changes is the right to a positive experience at every stage.

To achieve the best possible physical, emotional and psychological outcomes for each individual and newborn baby, healthcare systems require a human rights-based approach: not only to prevent maternal death and morbidity, but to a person-centered priority
care and well-being.

WHO is developing new guidelines for a positive postnatal care experience, due to be published next year. To inform these guidelines and to ensure that postnatal services can better meet the needs of women and their babies, WHO has undertaken qualitative
systematic review on what is important for postnatal women.

The joys and challenges of the postnatal period

There is limited research on postnatal values ​​and preferences, defined by WHO as the first six weeks after birth. Studies often focus on the results of special postnatal interventions rather than the individuals who use them
them.

“What matters to women in the postnatal period: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies, Published in PLOS ONE, has long respected the authority of women’s own experiences. The authors review first-hand data from 15 countries
and 36 studies published after 2000 that address the beliefs, expectations, and values ​​of women at this significant moment in their lives.

These studies confirm that a positive postnatal experience can result in joy, confidence, and an increased ability to thrive both as a person and as a parent.

They also express the potential challenges of adapting to a “new normal” birth, including changes in identity, relationships and sexual behavior.

What is a positive postnatal experience?

A positive postnatal experience for a woman will be one that fits her specific context and preferences.

It will provide the confidence, knowledge and skills that women need over the weeks following childbirth, supporting them to adapt to any changes in their intimate relationships and create new family ones. Women will be better equipped to exercise and move physically
emotional challenges and experience the dynamic achievement of personal growth.

This should be a shared responsibility, not a solitary one. The community plays a key role in enabling a positive postnatal experience, including partners, family and seniors.

It is crucial that healthcare providers meet the needs of each woman as well as those of their baby.

Supporting choices and rights to improve postnatal health outcomes

An estimated 303,000 maternal deaths per year, according to recent WHO data, Most of these deaths occur postnatal.

The postnatal period is therefore a vital opportunity to improve both maternal and infant health: supporting healthy behaviors, providing life-skills education, facilitating breastfeeding, counseling women on family planning options.
supporting good mental health, preventing and treating birth-related complications.

Health systems that empower individuals by supporting their values, preferences and rights are fundamental to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

WE are guidelines for positive maternity care

The WHO recently issued recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. and so on intrapartum care for a positive birth experience.

These publications have delivered important clinical updates, including an increase from four to eight recommended pregnancies and a review of the decision-making process for interventions to accelerate childbirth.

They also support the right of every woman to have a positive experience of maternal care: one where pregnancy does not undermine her competence, independence and right to participate in deciding to care for and care for her newborn baby.

Women’s choices and rights to sexual and reproductive health care, including maternity care, should be respected at every stage of continuity of maternal and infant care. This applies to all income settings as well as humanitarian conditions
and during public health emergencies.

When WHO’s postnatal guidelines are released next year, it will complete a series on maternity care that is built around what matters to women.

Instead of dividing care into three antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods, these publications can be used to establish a model in which health systems physically, psychologically, socially, and emotionally support women, their baby, and the wider network.
through this significant life event.

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