LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH FOLLOWING PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH COMPLICATIONS
Keywords:
maternal mental health, pregnancy complications, childbirth complications, postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, long-term outcomes, sexual satisfaction, hypertensive disorders, preterm birthAbstract
Pregnancy and childbirth complications, such as preterm birth, miscarriage, and hypertensive disorders, pose significant risks to long-term maternal mental health, leading to elevated incidences of depression, anxiety, and PTSD persisting for years postpartum. This thesis synthesizes recent evidence from systematic reviews and cohort studies to examine these enduring effects, highlighting associations with reduced sexual satisfaction, impaired quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Utilizing meta-analytic approaches, the analysis reveals pooled odds ratios indicating heightened vulnerability, with interventions like targeted screening proposed to mitigate outcomes. Findings underscore the need for integrated mental health support in obstetric care, demonstrating potential reductions in chronic disorders through early identification and follow-up.
References
1. Bodunde, E. O., et al. (2025). Pregnancy and birth complications and long-term maternal mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 132(2), 131-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17889
2. Dubey, P., Dwivedi, A. K., Sharma, K., Martin, S. L., Thompson, P. M., & Reddy, S. Y. (2025). Associations of mental disorders with maternal health outcomes. Communications Medicine, 5, Article 350. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01062-8
3. Nahaee, J., Rezaie, M., Abdoli, E., Mirghafourvand, M., Ghanbari-Homaie, S., & Jafarzadeh, M. (2024). Association of childbirth experience with long–term psychological outcomes: A prospective cohort study. Reproductive Health, 21(1), Article 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01819-9
4. Roberts, L. M., et al. (2025). Pregnancy disorders and maternal consequences: Postpartum mental health after medically complicated pregnancy. Reproduction, 170(5), e250092. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-25-0092
5. Walker, A. L., Peters, P. H., de Rooij, S. R., Henrichs, J., Witteveen, A. B., Verhoeven, C. J. M., Vrijkotte, T. G. M., & de Jonge, A. (2020). The long-term impact of maternal anxiety and depression postpartum and in early childhood on child and paternal mental health at 11–12 years follow-up. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, Article 562237. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.562237
