A global Call to Action: addressing chronic maternal pelvic morbidity

31st July 2025

Millions of women around the world live with life-altering pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) resulting from childbirth trauma – conditions that are preventable, treatable, and yet routinely ignored. These conditions, including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, perineal trauma and sexual dysfunction, constitute chronic maternal pelvic morbidity and affect an estimated one in four women globally.

Pelvic floor disorders often emerge months or years after childbirth and severely compromise physical function, mental health, economic productivity, and personal dignity. Yet, despite the global progress in reducing maternal mortality in the last few decades, most maternal public health services end at six weeks postpartum globally. They fail to account for the chronic and progressive nature of pelvic floor trauma.

More information can be found here