The Series on maternal health in the perinatal period and beyond explores the effects of traumatic childbirth on women’s health and well-being, with particular attention to its medium-term and long-term consequences. I found some of the concepts very interesting and thought-provoking. Efforts to reduce maternal mortality consume all resources, so morbidity issues never gain priority. From my experience, I agree that the conventional assignment of the first 6 weeks
of the postnatal period as the puerperium narrows the clinical focus to the immediate consequences of childbirth and the delayed effects are often neglected.
Extending the postpartum period beyond 6 weeks, to 1 year or more, is an idea that I strongly support.