Article Figures & Data
Tables
Variables Full Interview n=661 Mean (SD) Mini-Interview n=70 Mean (SD) Incomplete or No Interview n=86 Mean (SD) Significance of F Test Using ANOVA or t Test† (P Value) MCS = mental component summary from the SF-12; PCS = physicial component summary from the SF-12. Note: Variables not significantly different between all 3 groups included the proportion of women by marital status, primiparous, and those who had cesarean deliveries; these findings are not reported in the table for purposes of brevity. * The dashes indicate that no data was available for the subjects at the relevant time period because they did not do an interview at 5 and or 11 weeks after childbirth. † The t test was used to evaluate differences in mean MCS and PCS scores between women completing the full interview and those completing the mini interview. ‡ The χ2 test was used to evaluate the difference in status as at work or on leave among employed women by interview status as full vs mini-interview. Women completing the mini-interview because they were unemployed were excluded from the analysis. Continuous Age, years 30 (5.3) 28.4 (5.6) 27.9 (5.8) F = 7.86 (.000) Preconception general health score 3.1 (0.8) 3.0 (0.7) 3.0 (0.9) NS Postpartum health at 11 weeks Mental health (MCS) score 50.4 (7.3) 50.3 (8.3) – NS Physical health (PCS) score 55.7 (5.2) 54.5 (8.7) – NS Discrete Frequency (%) Frequency (%) Frequency (%) White 568 (86) 49 (70) 64 (74) χ2 = 17.1; df 2 (.000) Earned a college degree 318 (48) 18 (26) 18 (21) χ2 = 32.6; df 2 (.000) Meets poverty threshold 81 (12) 10 (14) 17 (20) NS Prenatal mood problems 307 (46) 36 (51) 42 (49) NS Primiparous 301 (46) 31 (44) 38 (44) NS Employment (11 weeks) Unemployed 0 40 (57) – NS2‡ On leave 334 (51) 11 (16) – Working 327 (49) 19 (27) – Variables Value Mean (SD) * Data collected at enrollment in the hospital. ‡ Data collected by telephone at the 5-week postpartum interview. † Data collected by telephone at the 11-week postpartum interview. Continuous Maternal age (years)1* 29.99 (5.3) Preconception health* (1=poor/fair to 4=excellent) 3.10 (0.8) Health services used, $† 293 (648) Available social support† (summary score: 5 = none of the time to 25 = all of the time) 20.89 (3.8) Perceived control over home and work*‡ (1=no/little control to 4=complete control) 2.58 (0.9) Job satisfaction (1 = very dissatisfied to 4=very satisfied)‡ 3.31 (0.8) Discrete Frequency (%) Married or partnered† 585 (88.5) College educated* 318 (48.1) White* 568 (85.9) Meets state threshold for poverty status* 81 (12.3) Prenatal mood problems2* 307 (46.4) Primiparous* 301 (45.5) Any breastfeeding† 346 (52.3) Infant girl3* 332 (50.2) Employment status (back to work at 11 weeks postpartum)† 327 (49.5) Occupational classification† Blue collar/service 94 (14.2) Clerical 248 (37.5) Professional 319 (48.3) Job always or usually stressful‡ 172 (26%) High job-related psychological demands† 347 (52.5) High job-related decision latitude† 348 (52.6) Supportive supervisor‡ 601 (90.9) Supportive coworkers‡ 652 (98.6) Colicky baby†‡ 45 (6.8) Symptoms 5 Weeks Postpartum (n=716) Frequency (%) 11 Weeks Postpartum (n=661) Frequency (%) General, other Fatigue 457 (63.8) 287 (43.4) Back or neck pain 310 (43.3) 250 (37.8) Dizziness 104 (14.5) 74 (11.2) Hot flashes 85 (11.9) 39 (5.9) Fever >100° F 51 (7.1) 27 (4.1) Neurologic Headaches 355 (49.6) 275 (41.6) Hand numbness or tingling 102 (14.2) 65 (9.8) Gynecologic and breast Decreased desire for sex 375 (52.4) 244 (37.0) Breast discomfort 432 (60.3) 124 (18.8) Nipple irritation or soreness 358 (50.0) 93 (14.1) Breast infection/mastitis treated with antibiotics 45 (6.3) 15 (2.3) Uterine infection treated with antibiotics 19 (2.7) 10 (1.5) Cardiovascular Irregular heartbeats 15 (2.1) 11 (1.7) High blood pressure treated by a doctor 13 (1.8) 8 (1.2) Respiratory Runny or stuffy nose 189 (26.4) 238 (36.0) Sore throat, cough, or cold 164 (22.9) 189 (28.6) Sinus trouble 84 (11.7) 96 (14.5) Asthma 41 (5.7) 37 (5.6) Bronchitis or pneumonia treated by a doctor 4 (0.6) 4 (0.6) Skin and hair Acne 129(18.0) 111 (17.0) Hair loss 34 (5.0) 67 (10.1) Excessive sweating 165 (23.0) 49 (7.4) Rash 53 (7.4) 37 (5.6) Gastrointestinal Constipation 196 (27.4) 92 (13.9) Abdominal pain including indigestion (heartburn and cramps) 149 (20.8) 87 (13.2) Hemorrhoids 169 (23.6) 83 (12.6) Decreased appetite 224 (31.3) 82 (12.4) Diarrhea or stomach flu 54 (7.5) 46 (7.0) - Table 4.
Factors Significantly Associated With Mothers’ Postpartum Health (as Determined With 2-Stage Least Squares)* (n = 661)
Physical Health* Mental Health† Symptoms Independent Variables Coefficients (SE) P Value Coefficients (SE) P Value Coefficients (SE) P Value 2SLS = 2-stage least squares Note: Regression coefficients not statistically significant in any of the 3 equations are not reported. * Measured with the PCS (physical component summary of the SF-12) score. † Measured with the MCS (mental component summary of the SF-12) score. ‡ Statistically significant t test on the estimated 2SLS regression coefficient. Preconception health 3.42 (0.53) .0001‡ 1.61 (0.70) .022‡ −1.28 (0.43) .003‡ Married/partnered −0.58 (0.83) .487 1.59 (1.09) .145 −1.75 (0.67) .009‡ Race (white) 0.28 (0.69) .700 −1.57 (0.91) .086 1.18 (0.56) .034‡ Infant colic −1.25 (1.06) .240 −2.26 (1.39) .104 2.52 (0.85) .003‡ Job stress 0.39 (0.54) .473 −2.08 (0.71) .004‡ 0.71 (0.44) .110 Coworker support 3.17 (1.30) .015‡ 0.64 (1.70) .707 −0.62 (1.04) .550 Prenatal mood problems 0.36 (0.65) .582 −2.93 (0.85) .001‡ 1.00 (0.52) .057 Perceived control 0.39 (0.297) .957 1.16 (0.39) .003‡ −0.12 (0.24) .620 Social support −0.01 (0.093) .902 0.52 (0.12) .000‡ −0.14 (0.07) .072
Additional Files
Supplemental Appendix
Supplemental Appendix 1. Analytic Model for Estimating Maternal Postpartum Health
Files in this Data Supplement:
- Supplemental data: Appendix - PDF file, 2 pages, 97 KB
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.
