respectful maternity care: a policy solution to reduce postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and improve fertility outcomes

Problem: thousands of women in iran experience disrespectful and traumatic childbirth annually, which can lead to postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) and influence decisions about future fertility. beyond the psychological impact, this issue also imposes serious social and economic burdens on the healthcare system. key results: in our study of 420 women 1–12 months postpartum, over 60% reported experiences of disrespect or violations of their rights during childbirth. moreover, higher levels of respectful maternity care were significantly associated with lower severity of postpartum ptsd. recommended action: implementing rmc protocols, including staff training, standardized procedures, and continuous monitoring, can reduce postpartum ptsd while improving childbirth experiences and supporting positive fertility decisions. urgency: without immediate action, more women will experience psychological harm. in addition, healthcare costs for mental health support will rise, and fertility rates may be negatively affected. target audience: the ministry of health officials, hospital and healthcare center administrators, health policymakers, and maternal health advocates.