Unplanned births are still common in regions with high contraceptive use and accessible abortion services, like France. Previous studies link unplanned births to adverse outcomes, such as poor maternal health behaviors, delayed prenatal care, and postpartum depression. However, it remains unclear whether these outcomes are due to unplanned births themselves or associated conditions, with limited focus on physical maternal health.
A study by Anna Barbuscia found that women’s general health declines more significantly after childbirth when the pregnancy is unplanned. This research contributes to the scientific literature by taking an innovative approach, analyzing both pre and post-natal data, providing more conclusive results than previous retrospective studies.
Despite a decline in unplanned pregnancies over recent decades, the global rate remains around 23%, even in countries with high contraceptive use. A study by UPV/EHU analyzing data from over 11,500 French mothers found that 20% had unplanned pregnancies.
Ikerbasque Research Fellow Anna Barbuscia explored the physical and mental effects, revealing that health declines post-childbirth are more pronounced in unplanned pregnancies, especially among women under 30. Younger mothers face greater challenges due to emotional and employment instability but tend to recover more easily in the long term compared to older mothers.
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The study by Anna Barbuscia further distinguishes between unintended pregnancies and those that occur earlier than planned. Barbuscia noted that not wanting children or more children differs from an unplanned conception ahead of schedule. Her research showed that unwanted pregnancies have a greater negative impact on mothers’ well-being.
While the study focused on physical and psychological health, it also specifically explored mental health. Surprisingly, the findings revealed that women with unplanned pregnancies do not have a higher risk of depression post-childbirth. Although they experience more psychological effects during pregnancy, these symptoms are no more severe after birth compared to mothers with planned pregnancies.
The study’s results are more conclusive due to its longitudinal approach, where data was collected over time rather than retrospectively. As Anna Barbuscia explained, the study’s findings are more accurate because participants answered questionnaires about their health and pregnancy intentions both before and after childbirth. In contrast, relying solely on post-birth responses risks mothers altering their initial intentions.
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Journal Reference:
- Anna Barbuscia, Ariane Pailhé, Anne Solaz. Unplanned births and their effects on maternal Health: Findings from the Constances Cohort. Social Science & Medicine. DO: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117350
