Physical Health issues faced by the Working Mothers after Return to Work Following Maternity Leave at Nallur and Jaffna MOH

Abstract

Introduction & Objectives: Postpartum health issues are often prolonged, and some physical issues arise after mothers return to work. These can negatively impact mothers' well-being and work–life balance. Hence, it is necessary to provide support for mothers to help them overcome these issues and enhance their quality of life. This study aimed to describe the self-reported physical health-issues faced by working mothers after return to work from maternity-leave. Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 157 working mothers in Nallur, Jaffna MOH. Data was collected using pretreated self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS 26. Descriptive statistics were used to describe physical health issues. Ethical clearance was obtained from Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Results: Among the 170 eligible working mothers, 157mothers participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 92.2%. The participants' ages ranged from 24 to 42 years. The majority (73.9%) had received 84 days of maternity-leave, and 66.2% were in their mid-extended postpartum-period at the time of the study. Breast engorgement (27.4%) and difficulties with breastfeeding (25.5%) were the most reported physical health issues during the first month after returning to work. Fatigue (32.5%), abdominal pain (32.5%), back-pain (21.0%), tingling or burning sensations in the breasts (13.4%), and dizziness (11.5%) were reported from the time of delivery and remained prominent during the first month after returning to work. Persistent postpartum problems included; pelvic-pain (33.2%), inadequate or irregular sleep (39.5%), and changes in physical appearance, such as hair loss and weight gain (48.4%), which continued beyond the initial postpartum-period. Conclusions: The findings indicate that working-mothers commonly experience persistent physical-health challenges after returning to work following maternity-leave and highlight the need for extended-postpartum support, workplace adjustment, counselling to promote maternal wellbeing.