Maternal health is a critical component of public health, and its outcomes largely depend on the continuum of care, which spans from pregnancy to childbirth and the post-pregnancy period and includes routine antenatal care, institutional delivery, and postnatal services. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of four antenatal visits to improve delivery outcomes and promote the well-being of both mother and child. Findings from the present study reveal significant variations in delivery outcomes based on demographic factors and the extent of continuum of care received. Very difficult deliveries were reported more frequently among rural women (33%) than urban women (20%), and among those in higher maternal age groups, specifically 30–34 years (42%) and 35–39 years (33%). Smooth deliveries were more common among women who had five or more antenatal visits (36%), whose babies weighed less than 2 kg at birth (75%), and among those who experienced a very caring and supportive environment in their delivery institutions (26%). Regarding self-care practices, adequate sleep emerged as the most beneficial, with 33% of those practicing it reporting smoother delivery outcomes compared to other practices such as walking, yoga, and maintaining a healthy diet. The study also highlights the impact of medical staff behavior on delivery experiences. Very rude behavior from nurses and midwives was reported by 50% of respondents who delivered in government hospitals, which significantly affected their delivery outcomes. Fear, stress, and lack of mental preparedness were identified as the major reasons for difficult deliveries by 39% of the participants. Postnatal care was found to be crucial for long-term maternal health, as mothers with more than three postnatal visits reported fewer health issues compared to those with none or only one visit. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of continuum of care and identifies key factors that influence maternal health and delivery outcomes.
Mercy et al. (Sun,) studied this question.