Postnatal maternal morbidity: extent, causes, prevention and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and causes of postnatal maternal morbidity.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey of postnatal patients. Further data extracted from SMR1 returns, case records and the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank.


METHODS
Postnatal care in a teaching maternity hospital, midwife delivery hospital, general practitioner maternity units and in the community.


METHODS
Twenty percent random sample of deliveries (1249 women) surveyed one week, eight weeks and 12 to 18 months after delivery.


METHODS
Incidence of self reported maternal morbidity, treatment received, readmission rates and causes for readmission.


RESULTS
Of mothers in the sample 85% (99% CI 82-88%) reported at least one health problem in hospital, rising to 87% (84-90%) of those at home; 76% (71-81%) reported at least one health problem after eight weeks post-delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal morbidity is extensive and under-recognised after delivery. Measures to reduce and alleviate it must be sought.
Glazener
C M
CM
University of Aberdeen Health Services Research Unit, Foresterhill, UK.
Abdalla
M
M
Stroud
P
P
Naji
S
S
Templeton
A
A
Russell
I T
IT
D003153:Community Health Services; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology