Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41783653›Full record

ReviewAJOG global reports2026

The influence of antenatal and pregnancy-related factors on recovery after childbirth: a systematic review.

Zayël Z Frijmersum, Eva Van der Meij, Ralph De Vries, Johannes R Anema, Judith A F Huirne, Petra C A M Bakker

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in AJOG global reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Zayël Z FrijmersumDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU Medical Center (Drs Frijmersum), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Eva Van der MeijDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (van der Meij, De Vries, Anema, Huirne, Bakker), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ralph De VriesDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (van der Meij, De Vries, Anema, Huirne, Bakker), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Johannes R AnemaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (van der Meij, De Vries, Anema, Huirne, Bakker), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Judith A F HuirneDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (van der Meij, De Vries, Anema, Huirne, Bakker), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Petra C A M BakkerDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (van der Meij, De Vries, Anema, Huirne, Bakker), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aimed to identify antenatal and pregnancy-related factors that affect recovery after childbirth, with the purpose of improving maternal health, return to work, and social participation. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to October 2024 using predefined search terms. The review is registered in PROSPERO (#CRD42022361262). STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and cross-sectional studies published in English or Dutch that evaluated antenatal and pregnancy-related factors associated with maternal morbidity beyond 6 weeks postpartum among women aged ≥18 years who delivered live-born singletons. A minimum follow-up of 6 weeks postpartum was required.

methodsTwo reviewers independently screened and assessed studies for quality. Data were synthesized narratively, organized by recovery domain.

resultsA total of 56 studies were included. Seven categories of influencing factors were identified: mental health in pregnancy (n=18), demographic and socioeconomic background (n=17), medical and psychological history (n=16), lifestyle in pregnancy (n=12), physical health in pregnancy (n=9), prepregnancy social and lifestyle factors (n=8), and psychosocial resources in pregnancy (n=5). Recovery outcomes included persistent pain, mental health problems, functional ability, and urinary incontinence. Although 47 studies focused on physical or mental health, only 9 studies assessed functional ability. No studies explicitly examined social participation. Previous pain, high body mass index, and antenatal mental health problems were consistently associated with poorer recovery outcomes. In contrast, physical activity, social support, and psychological resilience were generally protective factors.

conclusionPostpartum recovery is influenced by multiple antenatal and pregnancy-related factors. A personalized, biopsychosocial approach to care may improve maternal health outcomes and social participation.

Indexed as

antenatal carefunctional abilitymaternal healthpostpartum recoverypregnancy-related factorssocial participation

Identifiers

PMID41783653
PMCPMC12955133

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.