Women’s Physical Health around Live and Non-Live Births

Alessandro Di Nallo, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)

This study investigates the association between pregnancy outcomes—live birth and non-live birth (miscarriage or stillbirth)—and women’s physical health trajectories before, during, and after their first pregnancy. Utilizing data from the Understanding Society Survey (UKHLS), a longitudinal and nationally representative panel study of British households, we analyze 2,386 pregnancies among previously childless women. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) of the SF-12 questionnaire is employed to measure physical health, while an additional indicator of cardiovascular problems is included to capture broader health impacts. The analysis utilizes linear probability models to explore both unadjusted and adjusted associations between pregnancy outcomes and women’s health, considering maternal demographics, socioeconomic status, and mental health. Results indicate that, while physical health declines for all women near pregnancy end, those who experience non-live births report consistently lower PCS scores than their counterparts post-pregnancy, suggesting a persistent negative impact. Adjusted models reveal that maternal age and socioeconomic factors partly explain these differences, but disparities in physical health persist long-term. The findings underscore the importance of considering pregnancy loss as a potential risk factor for adverse health outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support women's health across the reproductive lifespan.

Keywords: Family Planning and Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Fertility, Longitudinal studies

See extended abstract.