The lingering impact of pregnancy on the body is greater than we realized

Postpartum recovery takes longer than the traditional six-week period commonly referred to as the “fourth stage.” Recent research conducted by biologists at the Wiseman Institute of Science and Helen Schneider Women’s Hospital in Israel, and Yale University School of Medicine in the United States, suggests that it may take more than a year for the body to settle into a new normal after giving birth.

Professor Uriaron, a systems biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science, led the study and emphasized the importance of understanding the extended recovery period postpartum. Using data from over 300,000 Israeli births, the researchers analyzed how various health markers changed between four and a half months to a year and a half after giving birth.

The study revealed that only 47% of the health markers studied stabilized within a month of delivery, while 12% took 4-10 weeks, and the remaining 41% took more than 10 weeks to stabilize. Some markers, such as bone and liver health, took up to 56 weeks to stabilize after childbirth.

Although certain health measurements improved over time, they did not return to pre-pregnancy levels even after a year and a half postpartum. The study also highlighted potential risk factors for pregnancy disorders but did not analyze differences between breastfeeding.

Experts like Professor Rebecca Reynolds, Professor Uriaron, and Professor Dimitrios Siassakos have provided valuable insights into the study’s findings. This research offers a detailed understanding of how the body changes after childbirth, which can potentially improve postnatal care.

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About our experts:

Professor Uriaron: He is a system biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the lead researcher at Uri Alon Lab.

Professor Rebecca Reynolds: She is a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on understanding the mechanisms linking intrauterine development to health and illness.

Professor Dimitrios Siassakos: He is an honorary consultant in obstetrics at University College London and University College Hospital, contributing to various clinical care groups and research initiatives.