Disabilities as a Result of Pregnancy and Childbirth

Between 15 and 20 million women each year develop acute or chronic disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth. These disabilities include severe anemia, incontinence, reproductive organ and nervous system damage, chronic pain, and infertility. As with most causes of maternal mortality, maternal disabilities are largely preventable. Direct causes of maternal disabilities include hemorrhage, infection during or after labor, obstructed or prolonged labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and unsafe abortion. Disabilities can also result from health conditions exacerbated by pregnancy. These illnesses include anemia, cardiac disease, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.

Essential obstetric and newborn care services provided by trained health personnel, such as surgery and blood transfusions, access to medical supplies, and a good health referral system, can save the life of a mother or her child and prevent disabilities. Postpartum and postabortion care services are essential to prevent infection, hemorrhage or infertility. These services also provide women with information on family planning to prevent unintended pregnancies and plan the size and timing of their families. Quality antenatal care services provide health personnel and mothers an opportunity to discuss the importance of healthy behaviors during pregnancy, complication recognition, and safe delivery and emergency plans for mother and baby. Improving the nutritional status of girls and women will also promote the healthy growth of a woman’s pelvis, prevent hypertension, and promote resistance to infection and illness.