(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Afeefa, 28, from Shopian, spent several months trying to conceive before seeking medical assistance. She was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that disrupts ovulation and is becoming increasingly common among women in Kashmir.
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“I had never heard of PCOS before. The doctor informed me that my weight and thyroid issues were making it harder for me to conceive,” she said. The emotional toll was overwhelming.“Neighbours and relatives made hurtful comments, even though my family was supportive. In our society, a woman's worth often feels tied to her ability to bear children.”
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In Kashmir, motherhood is often regarded as the ultimate measure of a woman's worth. As a result, many women silently struggle with issues such as infertility, pregnancy complications, and postpartum health crises.
While childbirth is celebrated, the pain and challenges that come before and after this event remain largely unseen. Women frequently face these medical and emotional hardships on their own, with limited support from healthcare providers and family members.
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Rising Reproductive Health Concerns
The latest Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), published in December 2020, found that 60% of Kashmiri married women report at least one reproductive health problem far higher than the national average of 40%.
The region's total fertility rate (TFR) the average number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime has dropped to 1.4, below the replacement level of fertility. These statistics highlight a growing crisis in women's reproductive health.
For many, the struggle begins long before pregnancy. Infertility-the inability to conceive after a year of trying-is a growing concern in Kashmir, where societal pressure to have children is immense.
Asmat, 30, from Kupwara, faced an even tougher journey. After seven years of marriage, she remained childless while battling tuberculosis (TB), PCOS, and depression.”At first, my family supported me, but over time, I felt abandoned even by them. My husband eventually told me he would remarry because I couldn't have a child,” she said.
Dr. Farhat Jabeen, former head of gynaecology and obstetrics at Government Medical College in Srinagar, said 10% of women seeking gynaecological consultations struggle with infertility. The most common causes include:
. PCOS, which affects ovulation and increases miscarriage risk.
. Thyroid dysfunction, which, if untreated, can severely impact reproductive health.
. Tuberculosis, still prevalent in Kashmir, which can damage the reproductive system.
. Late marriages and delayed pregnancies, which lower fertility as women age.. Obesity and diabetes, which disrupt hormone levels and ovulation.
“Many women struggle to conceive due to late marriages, delaying pregnancies, and hormonal imbalances. In Kashmir, thyroid dysfunction and tuberculosis are also common causes,” Dr. Jabeen said.
Pregnancy: A Time of Joy or Medical Battle?
For those who conceive, pregnancy is rarely smooth. Anemia, hypertension, gestational diabetes, and thyroid disorders are widespread among Kashmiri women, leading to serious complications, a mother of two from Srinagar, knows this struggle all too well. At six months pregnant, her haemoglobin levels dropped dangerously low, prompting doctors to administer an iron injection. Instead of stabilizing her condition, it triggered a severe reaction.
“I suddenly fell ill with loose motions, vomiting, high fever, extreme restlessness. Then I fainted,” she recalled. Her O-negative blood type had reacted adversely to the injection, leading to a life-threatening emergency survived, but her ordeal continued. Throughout her pregnancy, she had to increase her thyroid medication fourfold to keep her condition under control.
According to Dr. Jabeen, the most common pregnancy complications in Kashmir include Anemia, which causes weakness, fatigue, and risks during childbirth; Gestational diabetes, especially in women with PCOS or insulin resistance; Hypertension, which increases the risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia and Pregnancy loss, particularly in women with underlying health issues.
A major issue, Dr. Jabeen emphasized, is the lack of preconception counselling medical checkups before pregnancy to identify health risks.
“Women should undergo screenings before marriage to detect conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, and Anemia. Many pregnancy complications could be prevented if women received medical guidance early,” she said.
Postpartum Struggles: The Silent Battle
The struggles don't end with childbirth. Many women experience postpartum complications, including infections, excessive bleeding, and hormonal imbalances. One of the most overlooked issues is postpartum depression (PPD), a severe condition affecting new mothers, often dismissed as mood swings.
Dr. Jabeen estimates that 30-40% of new mothers in Kashmir experience postpartum depression, yet most cases go undiagnosed due to stigma and lack of awareness.
“The first three months after delivery are crucial. Women experience exhaustion, psychological changes, and sometimes severe depression, but their struggles are often ignored,” she said.
For Farah, postpartum struggles became unbearable. Just nine days after giving birth, she woke up to find the right side of her face paralyzed, a condition known as Bell's palsy.
“I couldn't blink or close my right eye while sleeping. I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror,” she said. Doctors were unsure of the cause; some blamed an infection, others suspected high blood pressure.
Months of steroid treatment and facial therapy followed, but the emotional toll was devastating.”I used to cry a lot. But one day, my brother placed my newborn twins in front of me and said, 'If you keep stressing like this, who will take care of them?' That moment changed everything for me.”
Meanwhile, Kashmir's child nutrition crisis is worsening. NFHS-5 data shows that 27% of children are stunted (low height for age), while underweight children have increased from 12% to 19% a sign that maternal health problems are directly affecting newborns.
Breaking the Silence: A Call for Change
Despite the rise in reproductive health issues in Kashmir, conversations about women's health remain limited. The pressure to conceive quickly, the stigma around infertility, and the expectation to endure suffering in silence continue to define the experiences of countless women.
Dr. Jabeen emphasized the need to prioritize women's health before, during, and after pregnancy. She called for:. Increased awareness and preconception counselling to address risks early.
. Better postpartum care, particularly in the first three months after childbirth.
. Greater family and partner support, as well as emotional well-being, is critical to recovery.
. A societal shift, where women's health is not treated as secondary to childbirth.
Farah, now recovered, has a message for other women:
“Stay mentally strong. Trust in Allah, but also trust yourself. And above all, make sure you have a support system. Those who don't have it suffer the most.”
Given the rising issues of infertility, pregnancy complications, and postpartum health crises in Kashmir, it is clear that women's health can no longer be a silent struggle. Addressing the stigma surrounding reproductive health issues requires collective action one that involves not only medical professionals but also families, communities, and policymakers.
Early screenings, improved maternal healthcare, and open conversations can help prevent many women from suffering in silence. Beyond medical interventions, we must also shift societal attitudes. A woman's value should not be defined solely by her ability to conceive, and her struggles should not be dismissed as mere phases of life.
Access to comprehensive healthcare, emotional support, and awareness campaigns is vital to ensure women receive the care they deserve throughout their reproductive journey, not just during childbirth.
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