Infants

Is having a baby detrimental for the mother's health?

How bad is having a child for the mother? Women tend to have more problems after giving birth so I was wondering to what extent the mother's health is compromised. I was also quite worried by the fact I have been searching the internet for information on this but everything is about the child. Call me selfish but I think it's a little bit important...

Public Comments

1. i haven't had any health problems caused by having my daughter. i think it varies by age and health status before birth and how well you take care fo yourself during pregnancy.
2. not normally it isnt, but as with anything there is risks. if you have a serious health problem then yes it could be. if you dont then it is unlikely something will happen to the mother if she goes to the dr and has a supervised pregnancy. even women with serious health problems can have a child if they receive good care
3. It depends. Some women walk away from having 6 babies with no problems, others were pregnant with 1 and have bladder problems, horrendous stretch marks, stretched out skin (perpetual sagging stomach), scars from a c-section, backaches from an epidural, etc. How and why many of these things happen is - in general - totally left to chance. For example, if the baby is facing the wrong way and labor is difficult, the mother may end up with a bad tear/episiotomy that may requiresurgery later on to be corrected. It's important to take good care of yourself when pregnant, and that will certainly help alleviate many issues that can arise, but you can't account (or control) everything.
4. I don't think so...I have had one already and I was fine. In fact I was better than fine! After nursing I started working out to regain my pre-pregnancy shape, became addicted to working out and eating properly, I ended up in better shape and health than I had ever been in my life! People actually would come to me for advice on how to lose weight and eat properly afterwards! Women are built to have babies, it should not affect your long term health afterwards unless you don't take care of yourself...but that is just common sense.
5. There are several conditions that can occur during pregnancy (high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc.) but these almost always resolve themselves soon after giving birth. I think you're talking more about after giving birth? If mom has maintained a healthy lifestyle thoughout her pregnancy, and continues to do so after birth, there should be no negative long term effects of pregnancy on her health. Even a healthy woman may be slightly compromised after childbirth due to hormones, blood loss, nutrient depletion, etc. but these normally resolve themselves fairly quickly.
6. There are some health risks to pregnancy and childbirth. Of course, as with all risks, not every person is harmed, but there is some chance of harm, ranging from stretch marks and hemerhoids to death in childbirth. But there are also some medical BENEFITS to pregnancy and childbearing. Women who breastfeed have a lowered risk of breast cancer. Pregnancy slightly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. And, of course, for women who want children, the happiness of parenthood has major mental health benefits ... and happier people tend to be healthier people.
7. Usually there is no detrimental effects to the mothers health. A normal pregnancy is always a strain on the body but does not usually leave lasting effects. The most common effect on the mothers health is vitamin deficiency usually because of not taking prenatal vitamins. A loss of calcium can lead to osteoporosis later in life.
8. A baby is a like a parasite on the mother. Its sounds harsh, but in reality it is true! You have an organism living inside of you, that is taking all of your vitamins and nutrients. It's even known that women who have never been pregnant usually live longer. But its not like you going to become a gibble or anything!! As long as you take your prenatal pills you be FINE! I am 29 weeks pregnant and I would never go back and change my mind about having a baby, and there have been many mothers who've lived up to their 80s and on.