Open AccessModes of birth and their impact on the psychological and physical health of women
Author(s) -
Myriam Natascha Wieser,
Kleanthi Gourounti,
Antigoni Sarantaki
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of mind and medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2601-4920
pISSN - 2392-7674
DOI - 10.22543/7674.81.p14
Subject(s) - medicine , scopus , vaginal birth , forceps , obstetrics , pregnancy , medline , surgery , biology , political science , law , genetics
Objective. The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature concerning modes of birth and their impact on the psychological and physical health of women. Methods. A search was conducted in PubMed Central and Scopus to identify relevant studies in the literature. The searching phrases were “mode of birth” AND “maternal health”. No date restriction was applied. The languages were restricted to English, German, and Greek. Results. Women giving birth through assisted vaginal births, especially by means of forceps, had a higher risk of dealing with different health problems in the postpartum period. Caesarean sections are not able to prevent long-term problems related to incontinence or sexuality. Conclusions. The mode of birth has an impact on the health of women postpartum and in some cases in the long term. Therefore, the mode of birth should be chosen deliberately for each individual woman, while having in mind the possible risks of the different modes of birth. Additionally, further research is needed to highlight the prevalence of postpartum morbidity.