1.0Action Research and Training for Healthhttps://www.arth.inadminhttps://www.arth.in/index.php/author/admin/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="ZLKYDIZ5Zt"><a href="https://www.arth.in/index.php/2026/03/16/unseen-layers-of-postpartum-care/">Unseen layers of postpartum care…</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.arth.in/index.php/2026/03/16/unseen-layers-of-postpartum-care/embed/#?secret=ZLKYDIZ5Zt" width="600" height="338" title="“Unseen layers of postpartum care…” — Action Research and Training for Health" data-secret="ZLKYDIZ5Zt" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.arth.in/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> https://www.arth.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PP6_I2-scaled.jpeg25601920During a field visit to a village in southern Rajasthan as part of the Navneet intervention which focuses on maternal-infant health care during the first year after delivery, we met 22-year old Jamna. She had recently delivered after a difficult first pregnancy. Having faced repeated episodes of violence from her husband, she had abruptly left her marital home and returned to her parental village. While leaving hurriedly, she was unable to collect all essential belongings, including her Aadhar card. When later she went into labour, her (natal) family took her to the nearest government health facility. At that point, the absence of her Aadhar card became critical – without it, she was not given admission and the family was advised to seek care elsewhere. During the ensuing confusion, her labour progressed. While she and her family were on their way back home, she delivered in the vehicle. The newborn luckily survived. Jamna, however, was left physically and emotionally traumatized. When we met her during a home visit 3 months later, anxiety was writ on her face. She kept repeating, “Manne pehla hi khabar hoti ke aadhaar saath ni ho to atro nuksaan hove, toh muh kadi vi aadhaar chodva ni aati. Pachhe jaa ne aadhaar leva ma, mane naro darr laage” (Had I known the consequences of not having my Aadhaar card , I would not have left it behind. But I don’t feel safe going back to collect it). In the weeks after childbirth, Jamna continued to struggle. Although she had returned to her parental home, she felt that she did not belong there. With household chores to complete and past events having scarred her mind, she felt tired, worried and lonely. In listening to Jamna’s story, we could see two issues unravelling together. One was about digitisation for accessing health services. Local newspapers have reported instances in which women without Aadhar cards were unable to access health care. Although digitisation is meant to simplify processes, documents can be lost, left behind, or never made, especially among marginalized communities. We need to ensure that essential health services can be provided even in the absence of such document. The other issue is that of gender-based violence. Jamna’s experience is not an isolated one — India’s fifth National Family Health Survey (2019-21) reported that 32% of ever-married women aged 15–49 have experienced spousal violence at least once (1). A comprehensive 2023 review of intimate partner violence during pregnancy by Agarwal et al highlights that such violence is associated with lasting psychological and physical health challenges for women, increasing vulnerability during labour and the postpartum period. Persistent maternal distress and compromised well-being can affect care-giving, attachment and the child’s developmental environment, contributing to emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges over time (2). Jamna’s experience has been a learning experience for us. Going forward, we are exploring support options (legal-aid and protection) for women facing violence. The Navneet intervention currently offers home visits and phone calls by trained, empathetic persons who check in, listen and understand how women are managing their lives and health, while offering supplements, support and connections to primary care. Supporting the referral of those facing violence or mental health issues to specific care-giving institutions would be the logical next step. – Meera Gameti (Community Health Counselor), Himani Sharma (Programme Associate, pa.hs@arth.in) References: 1. https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf 2. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.39262