Having too many children can significantly increase a woman’s risk of experiencing excessive bleeding after delivery, also known as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). According to gynaecologists, PPH is one of the most common causes of maternal deaths worldwide, accounting for approximately 20% of all maternal deaths globally. In Nigeria, the risk of death from PPH is alarmingly high, with about 150 women per 100,000 deliveries dying from the condition, compared to 0.4 women per 100,000 deliveries in the United Kingdom.
The risk of PPH increases with the number of children a woman has, as each pregnancy and birth weakens the uterus’s ability to contract and stop bleeding after delivery. Gynaecologists warn that women who have multiple children are more prone to excessive bleeding due to the repeated strain on their bodies. Additionally, having pregnancies too close together doesn’t give the mother sufficient time to recover from the loss of essential nutrients like iron and folate, further increasing the risk of complications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that severe bleeding, mostly after childbirth, is one of the major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths, alongside infections, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and complications from delivery. In fact, studies have shown that women who experience PPH are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with the risk persisting for up to 15 years after childbirth.
Gynaecologists emphasize that reducing the number of children a woman has can significantly lower her risk of PPH and other pregnancy-related complications. By spacing out pregnancies and having fewer children, women can minimize the strain on their bodies and reduce their risk of life-threatening bleeding after delivery. As maternal health experts stress, every pregnancy and birth comes with risks, and having too many children can have devastating consequences for a woman’s health.
