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Assessment of recovery after childbirth; a cross-sectional study.

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Title: Assessment of recovery after childbirth; a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Frijmersum ZZ; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: z.z.frijmersum@amsterdamumc.nl., van der Meij E; Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep, Location Alkmaar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wilhelminalaan 12, Alkmaar, The Netherlands., de Leeuw RA; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands., Anema JR; Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands., Huirne JAF; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands., Bakker PCAM; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Source: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology [Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol] 2025 Nov; Vol. 314, pp. 114676. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Sep 07.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Elsevier Scientific Publishers Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 0375672 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-7654 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03012115 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: Limerick : Elsevier Scientific Publishers
Original Publication: Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica.
MeSH Terms: Postpartum Period*/physiology , Postpartum Period*/psychology , Recovery of Function* , Parturition*, Humans ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sexual Behavior
Abstract: Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Background: Postpartum recovery is often underestimated and traditionally focused on physical healing, despite evidence suggesting that recovery spans multiple domains and extends well beyond six weeks.
Aim: To assess the proportion of women who are fully recovered across physical, mental, sexual, and functional domains 3-6 months postpartum, and to identify factors associated with full recovery and recovery duration.
Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed postpartum women (3-6 months after childbirth) using a structured online questionnaire. Full recovery was defined as recovery within 24 weeks in all four domains. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze recovery proportions, time to recovery, and associated factors.
Findings: Among 1117 respondents, 42.5 % reported full recovery in all four domains. Median time to full recovery was 15.0 weeks (IQR: 8.0), and mean time was 14.5 weeks (95 % CI: 13.8-16.2), accounting for censored cases. Recovery was fastest for daily activities (median 3.0 weeks) and slowest for resumption of sexual activity (median 7.0 weeks). Delivery experience and maternal age were significantly associated with full recovery. Parity, mode of delivery, and other clinical variables showed no independent association.
Conclusion: Fewer than half of women fully recovered across all domains by 3-6 months postpartum. These findings challenge the conventional six-week recovery expectation and underscore the need for multidimensional assessment and extended postpartum care. Interventions such as prenatal education, postpartum mental health screening, and targeted support may improve recovery outcomes.
(Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250913 Date Completed: 20251015 Latest Revision: 20251015
Update Code: 20251016
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114676
PMID: 40945071
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br />Background: Postpartum recovery is often underestimated and traditionally focused on physical healing, despite evidence suggesting that recovery spans multiple domains and extends well beyond six weeks.<br />Aim: To assess the proportion of women who are fully recovered across physical, mental, sexual, and functional domains 3-6 months postpartum, and to identify factors associated with full recovery and recovery duration.<br />Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed postpartum women (3-6 months after childbirth) using a structured online questionnaire. Full recovery was defined as recovery within 24 weeks in all four domains. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze recovery proportions, time to recovery, and associated factors.<br />Findings: Among 1117 respondents, 42.5 % reported full recovery in all four domains. Median time to full recovery was 15.0 weeks (IQR: 8.0), and mean time was 14.5 weeks (95 % CI: 13.8-16.2), accounting for censored cases. Recovery was fastest for daily activities (median 3.0 weeks) and slowest for resumption of sexual activity (median 7.0 weeks). Delivery experience and maternal age were significantly associated with full recovery. Parity, mode of delivery, and other clinical variables showed no independent association.<br />Conclusion: Fewer than half of women fully recovered across all domains by 3-6 months postpartum. These findings challenge the conventional six-week recovery expectation and underscore the need for multidimensional assessment and extended postpartum care. Interventions such as prenatal education, postpartum mental health screening, and targeted support may improve recovery outcomes.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
ISSN:1872-7654
DOI:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114676