Mothers’ Health and Work-Related Factors at 11 Weeks Postpartum
Ann Fam Med McGovern et al.
5: 519
The Article in Brief
Mothers' Health and Work-Related Factors at 11 Weeks Postpartum
Pat McGovern, PhD, MPH
, and colleagues
Background Many new mothers return to work soon after childbirth. This article examines personal and work-related factors associated with the health of employed women 11 weeks after childbirth.
What This Study Found Interviews of 661 new mothers at 11 weeks after childbirth found that most continue to experience several childbirth-related symptoms, most commonly fatigue. Better health after childbirth is associated with a number of factors including social support from family and friends, lower levels of job stress, a higher sense of control over work and home activities, and more coworker support.
Implications
- Levels of fatigue at 11 weeks after childbirth indicate a need for ongoing rest and recovery.
- New mothers should be evaluated by their doctors to determine fatigue levels and mental and physical symptoms.
- Clinicians should counsel new mothers on ways to decrease job stress, increase social support at work and home, and the occasional use of family and medical leave to help manage their symptoms.
