Child Birth and its Effect on Functional Status of Women: A Review
T. R. Rejisha
*
Department of Physiotherapy, St John’s Medical College and Hospital & PhD Scholar at Garden City University, Bangalore, India.
Madhu Malleshappa
Department of CSIT, Garden City University, Bangalore, India.
Ali Irani
Nanavati Max Specialty Hospital , Mumbai, India.
Sruthy Johny
Department of Physiotherapy, St John’s Medical College, India.
Jessy Grace
Department of Physiotherapy, St John’s Medical College, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Though highly satisfying motherhood comes with its own challenges. Often underestimated, the effect of child birth on maternal function is a huge and can invariably effect not only the individual but the society in general. Yet there seems to be an attitude of “its all part and parcel of motherhood” when it comes to the functional status of mothers. To improve the functional status of women one needs to quantify it and a scale for Indian mothers are not in existence yet. No matter the mode of delivery , the maternal function is compromised, its said that the physiological healing is complete at 6 weeks post delivery but the researchers are not able to come to terms regarding time needed to achieve the pre pregnancy functional status or in many cases if it ever returns. Hence the gravity of situation is dare and needs acknowledgment not only from the health care professionals but from the society in general. In this article, we are examining the different modes of delivery and its subsequent effect on physical functions of women.
Keywords: Maternal function, physical function, delivery, postpartum, child birth